Abstract: A system for bridging user identities between at least a first and a second security domain, comprising a bridge associated with the first security domain for intercepting messages for service in the second domain from users in the first domain. The bridge authenticates the user identities against a local authentication source by using an established key relationship and binds a security token with the message. A gateway is associated with the second domain for gating inbound access and outbound communication with a service in the second domain and for receiving the authenticated message and verifying the authenticity of the security token by using a certificate of the trusted authentication source and authorising access to the service upon confirmation of the authorisation, such that the authorisation is independent of the identity of the user.

Abstract: A secure appliance for use within a multi-tenant cloud computing environment which comprises: a) a policy enforcement point (PEP); b) a hardened Operating System (OS) capable of deploying applications; and c) at least one application capable of hosting services and application program interfaces (APIs).