Abstract: A method and system for combining multiple access points and utilizing certificates as an access method to a system from multiple access points enables use of a certificate that is stored within a smart card to access a host system through a browser, such that when the user accesses the application on the server, the application requires that the card and certificate be present for authentication of the individual user, and concurrently allows an external system to access applications on a host server using a certificate stored on the external system for authenticating itself to the host server. A certificate for certificate-based authentication is created and distributed to a choice of storage methods, such as a microcomputer of an integrated chip card, a computer disk of a computing device disposed in a secure environment, or a Hardware Security Module (HSM) associated with the computing device.

Abstract: A method and system for token based user access authentication enables secure user access to a web server using a token, such as a smart card, and provides a single sign-on mechanism which does not employ a user name and password in the log on process. Instead, a smart card with a certificate enables the user at a client workstation to log on by authenticating himself or herself to the smart card with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The smart card then uses mutual authentication to verify the identity of the cardholder and the access server and establishes a secure link between the client workstation and the access server with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol.