Abstract: First data to be sent by a first party to a second party is encrypted using an encryption key string formed using at least a hash value generated using second data and a secret, shared with a trusted party, that serves as identification of the first party. The second data comprises, for example, one or more conditions that serve as identifiers of the second party, and a hash-value element generated by hashing the first data. The encrypted first data and the encryption key string is made available to the second party which forwards the encryption key string to the trusted party with a request for the corresponding decryption key. The trusted party carries out at least one check on the basis of data contained in the encryption key string and, if this at least one check is satisfactory, provides a decryption key to the second party.

Abstract: To nullify any malicious code potentially contained within a data file. a transformation engine randomly selects a transformation from a number of available file transformations each arranged to alter the bit pattern of a file to which it is applied while still enabling manifestation of at least some of the file's semantic content to a user. The selected transformation is then applied to the data file to produce a transformed file. Preferably, the transformation engine runs in a dedicated virtual machine of a computing platform.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a credential transfer method for use on a distributed electronic network the method comprising the steps of a sender communicating to a recipient a credential index comprising an index referring to at least one credential, the recipient selecting at least one of the credentials from the index of at least one credential provided by the sender, the recipient communicating to the sender an indication of the selected at least one credential and the sender providing to the recipient at least one credential corresponding to the selected at least one credential. A corresponding method of communication, system and digital credential index are also disclosed.

Abstract: When sending personal data to a recipient, the data owner encrypts the data using both a public data item provided by a trusted party and an encryption key string formed using at least policy data indicative of conditions to be satisfied before access is given to the personal data. The encryption key string is typically also provided to the recipient along with the encrypted personal data. To decrypt the personal data, the recipient sends the encryption key string to the trusted party with a request for the decryption key. The trusted party determines the required decryption key using the encryption key string and private data used in deriving its public data, and provides it to the requesting recipient. However, the decryption key is either not determined or not made available until the trusted party is satisfied that the associated policy conditions have been met by the recipient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating a cryptographic key from multiple data sets each related to a respective association of a trusted party and user identity. The cryptographic key is, for example, one of an encryption key, a decryption key, a signature key and a verification key, and is preferably generated by applying Tate or Weil bilinear mappings to the data sets. At least two of the data sets may relate to different user identities and/or different trusted authorities. Where multiple trusted authorities are involved, these authorities may be associated with different elements to which the bilinear mapping can be applied, each trusted authority having an associated public key formed from its associated element and a secret of that trusted authority.

Abstract: An RSA cryptographic method and system is provided in which a sender encrypts a message (m) using a public modulus n, and an encryption exponent e that is a function of a sender-chosen string. This function is such that the values of e generated by it will not be coprime. In a preferred embodiment, a recipient receives the encrypted message and subjects it to a modulo-n blinding operation. The resultant blinded encrypted message is then made available to a trusted authority which decrypts it using a decryption exponent d based on the sender-chosen string and private data associated with the public modulus; however, the blinding applied to the message prevents the trusted authority from reading the message. The decrypted, but still blinded, message is passed back to the recipient who cancels the blinding to recover the message.

Abstract: First data to be sent by a first party to a second party is encrypted using an encryption key that is formed using at least a hash value generated by a keyed hash of at least one condition that typically serves as an identifier of an intended recipient of the first data. The encrypted first data is provided to a data recipient who requests a decryption key from the trusted party. The trusted party is responsible for verifying that the recipient meets the specified conditions before providing the decryption key. A valid decryption key is only provided if the correct conditions have been supplied to the trusted party.

Abstract: A method for encrypting data comprising deriving a public key using a first data set provided by a second party; encrypting a second data set with the public key; providing the encrypted third data set to the second party; providing the public key to a third party to allow validation of the first data set such that on validation of the first data set the third party provides an associated private key to the second party to allow decryption of the encrypted second data set.

Abstract: A device is arranged to carry out security-related tasks using one-time pad data. The device has a memory for holding multiple one-time pads, each pad having a different security rating and being intended for use by the device in executing a task to that security rating. Provisioning of the pads with one-time pad data involves carrying out a process for obtaining new secret random data. This process has a security rating with the value of this rating varying according to the nature and parameters of the process concerned. The security rating of the process used to obtain the new secret random data is matched to that of the pad to be provisioned with one-time data, or the other way around, such that the security rating of the process is as least as good as that of the pad to be provisioned.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a first computer entity arranged to encrypt data using an encryption key comprising a time value, and a second computer entity arranged to generate, at intervals, a decryption key using a current time value. The encryption and decryption processes are such that the decryption key generated using a current time value corresponding to that used for the encryption key, is apt to decrypt the encrypted s data.

Abstract: A security document, comprises a printed document and one or more memory circuits adapted to be read wirelessly attached to or incorporated within the printed document, wherein data in the memory circuit is protected from access by an unauthorised reader, and wherein the memory circuit is physically isolated so as to inhibit physical tampering or to indicate when physical tampering has occurred. Methods of publishing and of reading such security documents are described.

Abstract: A method of communication is such that a first party (30) communicates a composite credential (54) across a distributed electronic network (44) to a second Party (32). The composite credential (54) includes a plurality of credentials (46-52).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for securely transferring first and second data from a user to first and second parties respectively. More particularly, the user encrypts the first data using a first encryption key associated with the first party, and then encrypts the second data using, as encryption parameters, both public data of the first party and third data comprising the encrypted first data. The third data is then provided, preferably via the second party, to the first party, and the encrypted second data is provided to the second party. The first party uses a first decryption key to decrypt the encrypted first data, as provided to the first party in the third data, whereby to recover the first data. The first party also uses the third data, along with private data related to the aforesaid public data, to generate a second decryption key which is then provided to the second party to enable it to decrypt the encrypted second data.

Abstract: A tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant electronic module comprising an electronic component embedded in an encapsulant material and at least one thin sheet of frangible material contacting and overlying said encapsulant material and overlying said component, said sheet being sufficiently thin that it is likely to crack or break if an attempt is made to drill or cut through it with a laser drill.

Abstract: A method for encrypting data comprising dividing a first data set into a second data set and a third data set; deriving a first value using the second data set as an input into a polynomial equation; deriving a second value using the third data set as an input into the polynomial equation; deriving a first encryption key associated with a first party; deriving a second encryption key associated with a second party; encrypting the first value with the first encryption key; encrypting the second value with the second encryption key.

Abstract: A method for encrypting data comprising deriving a public key using a first data set that defines an instruction; encrypting a second data set with the public key; providing the encrypted third data set to a recipient; providing the public key to a third party such that on satisfaction of the instruction the third party provides an associated private key to the recipient to allow decryption of the encrypted second data set.

Abstract: A storage medium carrying data content has an electronically readable modification-resistant identifier for distinguishing that medium from other storage media. The medium stores a digital signature associated with a data content portion carried by the storage medium. The identifier read from the storage medium generates the digital signature. The identifier and digital signature enable verification of storage of the data content on an authorised storage medium in an authorised manner.

Abstract: A digital storage system for storing digital documents, the system comprising a trusted storage service provider including an encryption module for encrypting a digital document prior to storage thereof using an encryption key generated using a random number generator, remote archive storage sites for storing the encrypted item of data, and a corporate key store for storing an n-bit decryption key (which maybe the same as the encryption key or maybe different, but mathematically related thereto) for use in decrypting a document if required, the system further comprising a key degrading module for progressively degrading said decryption key by periodically discarding or changing at least one bit at a time thereof.

Abstract: A mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, which comprises a processor which is configured to process requests for authorisation of use of a credential, such as a credit card, and the processor causes the device to emit a signal, such as an audible intermittent tone, the characteristics of which are indicative of the deemed importance of a particular use of the credential. Advantageously the owner of the device is alerted to the deemed importance of a use of a credential. For example, an intermittent tone of characteristic frequency is emitted by a mobile phone in relation to the monetary value of a transaction using a credit card.

Abstract: A software system for installation on computing apparatus (and a method of installing such a software system on computing apparatus), wherein the software system is provided in the form of a software package including a plurality of software components, one or more of the software components being provided as a plurality of different implementations, the apparatus including an installation engine for installing the software system only a selected one implementation of the or each of the software components having multiple implementations, and a random selector module for selecting one of the plurality of implementations of a software component for installation.