Method for securely exchanging public key certificates in an electronic device

摘要

A method for securely exchanging public key certificates in an electronic device ( 400 ) using a single or dual level of public key includes obtaining a replacement public key certificate ( 401 ) to replace an original public key certificate. The replacement public key certificate is signed ( 403 ) using the private key of the original public key certificate. The signature of the original public key certificate is validated ( 407 ) and the replacement public key certificate is written to memory where the original public key certificate cannot again be used as a default. Thus, the method of the invention uses either a single signature or combination of double signatures to permit transfer of signing authority to an independent third party. Once the original secondary public key is overwritten, the manufacturer's original secondary public key may no longer be used and the process is irreversible.