CRYPTOGRAPHIC METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROTECTING DIGITAL CONTENT AND RECOVERY OF SAME THROUGH UNIQUE USER IDENTIFICATION

摘要

A computer-implemented method and related system controls access to protected content with certificate-based access authorization. Protected content stored in a memory of a computer is enciphered using a content key to produce a quantity of enciphered, protected content, wherein the content key is derived from a content encryption algorithm. A user key is derived from user credentials using a credential encryption algorithm. The content key is enciphered with the user key using a content key encryption algorithm to produce a certificate, wherein the certificate contains the enciphered content key. Access to the protected content is controlled by the user credentials and the certificate containing a second enciphered content key. A decryption user key is generated and access authorization to the protected content is determined based on the decryption user key in response to a match of the decryption user key with the user key.