Key management system
First Claim
1. A key management system for a secure communication system, using a keyloader to load at least one encryption key into a communication device, comprising:
- means for controlling distribution of a plurality of encryption keys;
means, coupled to said means for controlling, for conveying at least one of said plurality of encryption keys to the keyloader;
means for coupling the keyloader to the communication device; and
means for transferring said at least one of said plurality of encryption keys to the communication device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This key management system effectively solves the key distribution problems of distance, time, operator error, and security risk by transferring encryption keys with appropriate system information between a key management controller (101) and a remote keyloader (109). The keyloader (109) is then coupled to a communication device to transfer (327) the keys and receive (329) identification information from the communication device. The keyloader (109) then sends (323) the information to the key management controller (101) that controls the distribution of the encryption keys and collection of the communication device identifications.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A key management system for a secure communication system, using a keyloader to load at least one encryption key into a communication device, comprising:
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means for controlling distribution of a plurality of encryption keys; means, coupled to said means for controlling, for conveying at least one of said plurality of encryption keys to the keyloader; means for coupling the keyloader to the communication device; and means for transferring said at least one of said plurality of encryption keys to the communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A keyloader for use with an external communication device in a key management system employing an external source of key control, comprising:
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means for entering user information; means, coupled to said means for entering, for accessing the external source of key control; means, coupled to said means for entering, for requesting at least one encryption key from the external source of key control; means, for receiving said at least one requested encryption key; means, coupled to said receiving means, for storing said at least one requested encryption key; and means, coupled to said storing means, for transferring said at least one requested encryption key to the external communication device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of key management in a key loader for use with an external communication device in a key management system employing an external source of key control, comprising the steps of:
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accessing the external source of key control; requesting, responsive to said step of accessing, at least one encryption key from the external source of key control; receiving, responsive to said step of requesting, said at least one encryption key from the external source of key control; storing, responsive to said step of receiving, said at least one received encryption key; and transferring said at least one received encryption key to the external communication device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification