Abstract: Public key security control (PKSC) is provided for a cryptographic module by means of digitally signed communications between the module and one or more authorities with whom it interacts. Authorities interact with the crypto module by means of unsigned queries seeking nonsecret information or signed commands for performing specified operations. Each command signed by an authority also contains a transaction sequence number (TSN), which must match a corresponding number stored by the crypto module for the authority. The TSN for each authority is initially generated randomly and is incremented for each command accepted from that authority. A signature requirement array (SRA) controls the number of signatures required to validate each command type. Upon receiving a signed command from one or more authorities, the SRA is examined to determine whether a required number of authorities permitted to sign the command have signed the command for each signature requirement specification defined for that command type.

Abstract: Public key security control (PKSC) is provided for a cryptographic module by means of digitally signed communications between the module and one or authorities with whom it interacts. Authorities interact with the crypto module by means of unsigned queries seeking nonsecret information or signed commands for performing specified operations. Each command signed by an authority also contains a transaction sequence number (TSN), which must match a corresponding number stored by the crypto module for the authority. The TSN for each authority is initially generated randomly and is incremented for each command accepted from that authority. A signature requirement array (SRA) controls the number of signatures required to validate each command type. Upon receiving a signed command from one or more authorities, the SRA is examined to determine whether a required number of authorities permitted to sign the command have signed the command for each signature requirement specification defined for that command type.

Abstract: Public key security control (PKSC) is provided for a cryptographic module by means of digitally signed communications between the module and one or authorities with whom it interacts. Authorities interact with the crypto module by means of unsigned queries seeking nonsecret information or signed commands for performing specified operations. Each command signed by an authority also contains a transaction sequence number (TSN), which must match a corresponding number stored by the crypto module for the authority. The TSN for each authority is initially generated randomly and is incremented for each command accepted from that authority. A signature requirement array (SRA) controls the number of signatures required to validate each command type. Upon receiving a signed command from one or more authorities, the SRA is examined to determine whether a required number of authorities permitted to sign the command have signed the command for each signature requirement specification defined for that command type.

Abstract: The capabilities of a cryptographic module are controlled by a crypto configuration control (CCC) register that is initialized by one or more self-signed commands that are preformulated and signed with the digital signature key of the crypto module itself. The crypto module accepts a self-signed command only if the self-signature can be validated using the signature verification key of the module. In one implementation, the final configuration is determined by a single self-signed command. In another implementation, a first self-signed command is used to create an temporary configuration that allows one or more initialization authorities to issue additional commands fixing the final configuration. The self-signed commands are maintained separately from the crypto module and are distributed to the end user either physically or electronically.

Abstract: An integrated circuit ("IC") chip is provided having both a public key cryptographic engine and a fuse array thereon. The fuse array is hardwired to the public key cryptographic engine and is encoded with a private key for use by the cryptographic engine. Specifically, prior to encapsulation of the IC chip, the fuse array is encoded using a laser ablation process. Upon encapsulation, the private key is permanently sealed and secured within the IC chip. The fuse array may also have a public key hash value and a serial number encoded therein.

Abstract: An integrated circuit ("IC") chip is provided having both a public key cryptographic engine and a fuse array thereon. The fuse array is hardwired to the public key cryptographic engine and is encoded with a private key for use by the cryptographic engine. Specifically, prior to encapsulation of the IC chip, the fuse array is encoded using a laser ablation process. Upon encapsulation, the private key is permanently sealed and secured within the IC chip. The fuse array may also have a public key hash value and a serial number encoded therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electronically configuring hardware features and options. A computer chip encoding method is provided in which a predetermined code or encryption sequence is uniquely associated with a computer chip. This code is used to modify a hardware configuration by enabling new features or options. The systems and methods reduce manufacturing and inventory costs by allowing a generic product to be produced which is then customized to meet the needs of the user. In addition, features and options of a data processing system can be dynamically upgraded without interruption of service or hardware replacement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electronically configuring hardware features and options. A computer chip encoding method is provided in which a predetermined code or encryption sequence is uniquely associated with a computer chip. This code is used to modify a hardware configuration by enabling new features or options. The systems and methods reduce manufacturing and inventory costs by allowing a generic product to be produced which is then customized to meet the needs of the user. In addition, features and options of a data processing system can be dynamically upgraded without interruption of service or hardware replacement.

Abstract: A cryptographic facility implements a multiple key part import procedure. The installation manager can verify that a key part has been correctly entered and has not been compromised. The security requirement for the procedure is that no single party can subvert the system security by misusing the procedure. This is accomplished by the use of a control-vector-dependent verification pattern to indicate that each key part has been accepted by using the proper control vector and the use of different key switch positions to specify whether the key part is a master key part or an operational key part and whether the key part is a first part or a subsequent key part. The apparatus provides an automatic reset of the key part register at the completion of each key-entry instruction so that each key part can be imported only once. This prevents the same key part from being imported twice as different key part types. The apparatus also prevents a key part from being combined with itself to create a known key.