Generic file format for multiple security requirements
First Claim
1. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for preparing secure file packaging, said method steps comprising:
- identifying file components to be packaged together;
specifying security requirements for each said file component;
specifying security requirements for the secure file packaging;
obtaining parameters for the security requirements for each said file component, calling security functions associated with the security requirements associated with each said file component, and processing each said file component;
obtaining parameters for the security requirements for the secure file packaging and calling security functions associated with the security requirements associated with the secure file packaging; and
creating a securely packaged file, wherein said creating step further comprises the steps of;
formatting a file header for said securely packaged file, wherein said header identifies a beginning and a length of said securely packaged file;
reformatting said processed file components to provide (a) at least one data file containing said processed file components in said securely packaged file, wherein a portion of said data file is in a secured form and (b) a file body in said securely packaged file for each of said processed file components, wherein each of said file bodies contains a pointer to said processed file component within said data file and security protections for said processed file component; and
formatting a file trailer for said securely packaged file, wherein said trailer provides security protection for said securely packaged file.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A generic secure file format to solve problems associated with secure storage and interchange. The file format allows multiple files to be wrapped into a single entity for storage or transmission interchange. Each file can have different security requirements from that of other files. Different file types can be interchanged under a single wrapper in this secure file format. The secure file format also allows one file to be divided into multiple sections and wraps them into a single file. Each section of the file has its own security protection. This enables only sensitive information to be protected, and leaves other sections with less or no security protection. This results in higher performance since security related operations are only required for a small portion of the file.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for preparing secure file packaging, said method steps comprising:
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identifying file components to be packaged together; specifying security requirements for each said file component; specifying security requirements for the secure file packaging; obtaining parameters for the security requirements for each said file component, calling security functions associated with the security requirements associated with each said file component, and processing each said file component; obtaining parameters for the security requirements for the secure file packaging and calling security functions associated with the security requirements associated with the secure file packaging; and creating a securely packaged file, wherein said creating step further comprises the steps of; formatting a file header for said securely packaged file, wherein said header identifies a beginning and a length of said securely packaged file; reformatting said processed file components to provide (a) at least one data file containing said processed file components in said securely packaged file, wherein a portion of said data file is in a secured form and (b) a file body in said securely packaged file for each of said processed file components, wherein each of said file bodies contains a pointer to said processed file component within said data file and security protections for said processed file component; and formatting a file trailer for said securely packaged file, wherein said trailer provides security protection for said securely packaged file.
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2. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for preparing a generic secure file wrapper, said method steps comprising:
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selecting file components to be packaged in the wrapper; reformatting the file components to provide (a) a file body for each said file component, wherein each of said file bodies contains a pointer to file data and security protections for said file data, and (b) at least one data file containing said file data, wherein a portion of said file data is in a secured form; processing a file header for the wrapper identifying a beginning and a length of the wrapper; and processing a file trailer providing security protection for the wrapper.
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3. A method for preparing secure file packaging, comprising the steps of:
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identifying file components to be packaged together; specifying security requirements for each said file component; specifying security requirements for the secure file packaging; obtaining parameters for the security requirements for each said file component, calling security functions associated with the security requirements associated with each said file component and processing each said file component; obtaining parameters for the security requirements for the secure file packaging and calling security functions associated with the security requirements associated with the secure file packaging; and creating a securely packaged file, wherein said creating step further comprises the steps of; formatting a file header for said securely packaged file, wherein said header identifies a beginning and a length of said securely packaged file; reformatting said processed file components to provide (a) at least one data file containing said processed file components in said securely packaged file, wherein a portion of said data file is in a secured form and (b) a file body in said securely packaged file for each of said processed file components, wherein each of said file bodies contains a pointer to said processed file component within said data file and security protections for said processed file component; and formatting a file trailer for said securely packaged file, wherein said trailer provides security protection for said securely packaged file. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for preparing a generic secure file wrapper, comprising the steps of:
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selecting file components to be packaged in the wrapper; reformatting the file components to provide (a) a file body for each said file component, wherein each of said file bodies contains a pointer to file data and security protections for said file data, and (b) at least one data file containing said file data, wherein a portion of said file data is in a secured form; processing a file header for the wrapper identifying a beginning and a length of the wrapper; and processing a file trailer providing security protection for the wrapper. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A wrapper for securing files for transmission or storage, wherein said wrapper resides on a computer readable memory, said wrapper comprising:
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a header for identifying a beginning and a length of the wrapper; at least one data file resulting from reformatting processed file components, said data file comprised of a stored version of each of one or more said file components, wherein each of said stored versions is either a secure representation of said file component or a non-secure representation of said file component; for each of said stored versions, a file body resulting from said reformatting, comprising;
a pointer to a location in said data file, said location being where said stored version of said file component begins;
security specifications for said stored version of said file component; and
output file specification parameters for accessing the stored version of said file component; anda trailer containing security specifications for the wrapper. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification