Abstract: A data security device which includes storage means for storing a master cipher key, cryptographic apparatus for performing cryptographic operations and control means for controlling the writing of a master cipher key into the storage means, controlling the transfer of the master cipher key to the cryptographic apparatus and controlling the cryptographic apparatus to perform cryptographic operations. When a new master cipher key is written into the storage means, the old master cipher key is automatically overwritten with an arbitrary value, after which the new master key may be written into the storage means. The cryptographic apparatus of the data security device includes storage means, a cipher key register and cipher means for performing a cipher function on data stored in the cryptographic apparatus storage means under control of a working cipher key stored in the cipher key register with the resulting ciphered data being stored in the cryptographic apparatus storage means.

Abstract: A communication security system for data transmissions between remote terminals and a host system. The remote terminals and the host system include data security devices capable of performing a variety of cryptographic operations. At initialization time, a host master key is written into the host data security device and the host system generates a series of terminal master keys for the remote terminals. Protection is provided for the terminal master keys by enciphering them under a variant of the host master key. The terminal master keys are then written into the data security devices of the respective remote terminals to permit cryptographic operations to be performed. When a communication session is to be established between a designated remote terminal and the host system, a random number is generated and defined as an operational key enciphered under the host master key which permits the operational key to be used at the host system for enciphering or deciphering data operations.