Mcafee, Inc.

Networks Associates Technology, Inc.

Peter T Dinsmore

Michael D Heyman

Alan T Sherman

Peter S Kruus

Jeffrey Cook

Jeff Cook

A system and method for reusable efficient key distribution is disclosed. Key distribution is effected through the application of self-repairing groups that obviate the need for key distribution messages in portions of a hierarchical tree. In one embodiment, the self-repairing group is based on a reusable power set.

System and method for reusable efficient key distribution

System and method for key distribution in a hierarchical tree

A system for notification of a change in condition of an electronic certificate is disclosed. The system includes a certificate server comprising a processor having a computer program comprising a plurality of executable modules that are executable on the processor. A first executable module is for detecting a change in condition of an electronic certificate. A second executable module in the computer program is for notifying a user of the electronic certificate of the change in condition. The computer program may comprise a third module for negotiating a contract, called a certificate action point (CAP), with the certificate user regarding the type of change in condition the second module notifies the certificate user of, the way the second module notifies the certificate user, the diligence with which the second module notifies the certificate user of the change in condition, and a price for notifying the certificate user. The change in condition may comprise revocation of, roll-over of, change in field of, disablement of, expiration of the electronic certificate, or other type of change in condition of an electronic recognized by those skilled in the art. An updated electronic certificate may be forwarded to the certificate user, thereby updating the electronic certificate with respect to the certificate user to the new version of the electronic certificate. Alternatively, the certificate user may selectively download an updated version of the electronic certificate from the certificate server.

Method and system for management and notification of electronic certificate changes

A scalable system for notification of a change in condition of an electronic certificate is provided. The system includes a network of servers capable of providing notification of changes in conditions of electronic certificate to an unlimited number of users. The system includes a first server comprising a detection module and a notification module. The system having at least one server capable of actively monitoring and detecting changes in conditions of a certificate. Other CAP servers in the system may and/or may not actively monitor electronic certificates at the same time. That is, these CAP servers may actively monitor conditions of electronic certificates at the same time they play passive roles (e.g., not monitoring the electronic certificates for which they will be notified of changes from another CAP server). The change in condition that will trigger the notification action of the present invention includes changes to the content of the electronic certificate and/or changes of the status of the electronic certificates including, but not limited to, the revocation of, roll-over of, disablement of, expiration of the electronic certificate. An example of the type of information that the present invention may provide to users includes, but are not limited to, notice that a certificate has expired and an updated electronic certificate. Because the present invention is scalable, an unlimited number of users may be serviced. Further, the various CAP Servers may be configured to monitor specific certificates or types of changes to the certificates, while depending on another CAP Server for monitoring other certificates so as to be more efficient. In fact, one CAP Server may be configured to support notification to a number of users of one company and depend upon other servers to monitor for changes to the conditions of various electronic certificates. The present invention provides many variations in configurations of CAP server-user networks that provides notification services to an unlimited number of users

Scalable system and method for management and notification of electronic certificate changes

Growing community of inventors

Ellicott City, MD, United States of America

Peter T Dinsmore