Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for maintaining data, such as a data file, in secure form. Security keys are stored and maintained at a central location. The security key is downloaded to a device that is to operate upon the data. When the security key is authorized to be downloaded to a computer device, a time boundary is associated with the security key. The time boundary defines the period of usability of the security key. The security key is used at the computer device to encrypt the data each time the data is written to storage and to decrypt the data each time the data is read from storage. Thereby, at all times, when the data is stored at storage, the data is maintained in secure form.

Abstract: A method includes accessing project information that includes values for one or more parameters of a project. The method further includes determining from the project information a project duration for the project, a time value of money for the project, a variability for the project, and an expected project price. A price premium for the project is generated according to the project duration, the time value of money, the variability value, and the expected project price, using an option-pricing mathematical model for financial instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for maintaining data, such as a data file, in secure form. Security keys are stored and maintained at a central location. The security key is downloaded to a device that is to operate upon the data. When the security key is authorized to be downloaded to a computer device, a time boundary is associated with the security key. The time boundary defines the period of usability of the security key. The security key is used at the computer device to encrypt the data each time the data is written to storage and to decrypt the data each time the data is read from storage. Thereby, at all times, when the data is stored at storage, the data is maintained in secure form.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for determining a price premium for a project includes accessing project information that includes values for one or more parameters of a project. The method further includes determining from the project information a project duration for the project, a time value of money for the project, a variability for the project, and an expected project price. A price premium for the project is generated according to the project duration, the time value of money, the variability value, and the expected project price, using an option-pricing mathematical model for financial instruments.