VOLATILE KEY APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENTIAL DATA STORED IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM MEMORY

摘要

The data security system uses a volatile key apparatus to create and manage a master file, comprising a single encrypted file that is stored on the hard drive of the computer system. The master file contains all of the passwords, cryptokeys and security codes that are used by conventional security programs and apparatus resident on the computer system to safeguard the confidential data that is contained in the memory of the computer system. The master key that is used to encrypt and decrypt this master file is stored in the volatile key apparatus, which is a piece of hardware located in the personal computer and directly connected to the system bus. When a violation of the system security procedures is detected, the master key is erased from the volatile key apparatus, thereby preventing access to the encrypted information that is stored on the hard drive. The encryption protected data can still be retrieved from the hard drive by the authorized user reinstalling the master key in the volatile key apparatus, thereby enabling decryption of the encrypted passwords, cryptokeys and security codes that are stored in the master file. The conventional security programs and apparatus resident on the computer system can then use the contents of the master file to retrieve the encrypted data from the memory.