Abstract: Various methods and arrangements are provided to form an interface that allows portable token devices to be used within static machine concentric cryptographic environments. One example of a portable token device is a smart card that can be read or other accessed by a computer through a smart card reader. A cryptographic API, associated with the operating system of the computer, is configured to separate the applications from the cryptographic functions that require the portable tokens. The cryptographic API accesses a smart card cryptographic server provider (SC-CSP) that is configured to work with a smart card cryptographic provider (SCCP) program as part of the interface. This SC-CSP/SCCP interface determines that the requested cryptographic function requires a specific smart card and requests that the user provide the appropriate smart card.

Abstract: The specification describes a user security system for use in conjunction with an operator terminal such as a personal computer. The user security system utilizes an intelligent security token, commonly referred to as a Smart Card, for security-critical operations. A peripheral reader device provides communications between the Smart Card and the operator terminal. The Smart Card is programmed to signal the reader device prior to performing a security-critical operation and to wait for a counter-signal before performing any such security-critical operation. The reader device has a security key that is physically operable by a person. The reader device is configured to supply the counter-signal to the Smart Card only in response to operation of the security key, and to prevent the operator terminal from supplying the counter-signal.

Abstract: A computer network has a number of computers coupled thereto at distinct nodes. A trust realm table defines which computers are members of predefined trust realms. All the members of each predefined trust realm enforce a common set of security protocols for protecting the confidentiality of data. Each computer that is a member of a trust realm enforces a predefined security policy, and also defines a security level for each set of data stored in the computer. Thus, each message has an associated label denoting how to enforce the computer's security policy with respect to the message. A trust realm service program prepares a specified message for transmission to a specified other computer system. To do this it uses the trust realm table to verify that both the computer system and the specified computer system are members of at least one common trust realm, and then selects one of those common trust realms.