Abstract: The provisioning of a security token object to a user is disclosed. The security token object is used for accessing a computing resource through a client computer system. A security token object provisioning request may be received from the client computer system. In response, an authentication request may be transmitted. The user is authenticated against a user identity based upon a set of received identity credentials provided by the user. The extraction of a unique token identifier from the security token object is initiated, and completed without intervention from the user. The unique token identifier received from the client computer system is associated with to the user identity in a data store. By providing the security token object, the user can gain access to the computing resource.

Abstract: A valid duration period for a digital certificate is established by a process that includes assigning numeric values to certificate term. The numeric value assigned to each certificate term is representative of the valid duration period. The method continues by identifying one certificate term, which may include requesting a user to select a certificate term. The method may include transmitting the requested certificate term to a server. The certificate term requested is sent via a certificate request. The server is configured to convert the numeric value associated with the requested certificate term into a duration counter value. The method may also include a certificate server receiving from the server, the certificate request including the duration counter value. The method may conclude with transmitting the signed certificate request to a client device capable of generating the digital certificate with the requested certificate term.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring a valid duration period for a digital certificate. The method includes assigning a positive numeric value for each certificate term. The positive numeric value assigned to each certificate term is representative of the valid duration period. The method continues by prompting a user of the client device to request one certificate term. The method may include transmitting the requested certificate term to a server. The certificate term requested is sent via a certificate request. The server is configured to convert the positive numeric value associated with the requested certificate term into a duration counter. The method may also include a certificate server receiving from the server, the certificate request including the duration counter. The certificate server is configured to digitally sign the certificate request.

Abstract: The provisioning of a security token object to a user is disclosed. The security token object is used for accessing a computing resource through a client computer system. A security token object provisioning request may be received from the client computer system. In response, an authentication request may be transmitted. The user is authenticated against a user identity based upon a set of received identity credentials provided by the user. The extraction of a unique token identifier from the security token object is initiated, and completed without intervention from the user. The unique token identifier received from the client computer system is associated with to the user identity in a data store. By providing the security token object, the user can gain access to the computing resource.

Abstract: The authentication of a client to multiple server resources with a single sign-on procedure using multiple factors is disclosed. One contemplated embodiment is a method in which a login session is initiated with the authentication system of a primary one of the multiple server resources. A first set of login credentials is transmitted thereto, and validated. A token is stored on the client indicating that the initial authentication was successful, which is then used to transition to a secondary one of the multiple resources. A second set of login credentials is also transmitted, and access to the secondary one of the multiple resources is granted on the basis of a validated token and second set of login credentials.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a client and a server is disclosed. In one contemplated embodiment, the client has a client certificate and the server have a server certificate. The client is validated to an authentication module based upon a certificate request identifier generated thereby, a secure data link certificate, and an authentication module Uniform Resource Locator. The authentication module is validated to the client based upon the client certificate and the certificate request identifier. A password associated with a user identifier that is encrypted with a private client key and signed with a public server key is transmitted to the authentication module. The password is then validated.

Abstract: A certificate server is provided for issuing digital certificates to be used by a network resource and/or a client resource. The certificate server is configured to communicate with the network resource or the client resource to receive a certificate request. Upon receiving the certificate request, the certificate server may automate the process for authenticating the certificate request, validating the terms of the certificate request and digitally signing the certificate request. An authentication appliance may communicate with or be integrated within the certificate server. The certificate server includes a web service server, a certificate authority component, and a database that enable communication with either the network resource, client resource, or the authentication appliance to automate the administration process typically involved in receiving and signing a certificate request.

Abstract: A method for self-service authentication of a client and a server. The method includes the server receiving an initialization command from the client. The initialization command may be transmitted to the server via a client web browser over an unsecured data transfer link. The method continues with requesting authentication information from the client. In response to receiving the authentication information from the client, the server transmits a client software component to the client. The client software component utilizes a client-side library installed on the operating system of the client to generate the various client credentials described above. Thereafter, the certificate signing request may be transmitted to a certificate server for signing the certificate signing request. The signed certificate signing request is then received by the client via the client web browser.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for storing a plurality of client certificate credentials via a client web browser into one or more keystore file(s). The client web browser is used to establish the secure data transfer link between the client and the server. The client web browser includes a plug-in software component. The plug-in software component is configured to generate the keystore file and a key pair. The method may continue with generating a certificate request on the client. The certificate request generated is then transmitted to a certificate server. The certificate server is configured to digitally sign the certificate request generated. The method continues with the client receiving a signed certificate request. The signed certificate request is received by the client via the client web browser. The method may conclude by storing the plurality of client certificate credentials associated with the signed certificate request in one or more keystore file(s).

Abstract: A method and system for configuring a valid duration period for a digital certificate. The method includes assigning a positive numeric value for each certificate term. The positive numeric value assigned to each certificate term is representative of the valid duration period. The method continues by prompting a user of the client device to request one certificate term. The method may include transmitting the requested certificate term to a server. The certificate term requested is sent via a certificate request. The server is configured to convert the positive numeric value associated with the requested certificate term into a duration counter. The method may also include a certificate server receiving from the server, the certificate request including the duration counter. The certificate server is configured to digitally sign the certificate request.

Abstract: Authenticating a client to a server accessible through an Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) Virtual Private Network (VPN) appliance. The IPSec VPN appliance and an SSL VPN appliance are configured to receive an initialization command from the client. The SSL VPN appliance is in communication with an authentication appliance for authenticating the client to the server. In response to the initialization command, the authentication appliance generates a client key pair including a client private key and a client public key. The authentication appliance generates a client certificate and a client IPSec profile. The authentication appliance transmits the client key pair, the client certificate and the client IPSec profile to the client. A secure communication session between the client and the server is established. The secure communication session is established through the IPSec VPN appliance. Upon receipt of the IPSec profile, the communication session between the client and the server is encrypted.