DIGITAL TIME STAMPING SYSTEM

摘要

A digital time-stamping system for issuing stamps on messages by means of a cryptographic digital signature includes a front end unit (10), a load balancer (50) and one or more public key signature units (60). Incoming messages are rapidly and temporarily time-stamped by means of a MAC generator (30) in the front end unit, and the message is then passed on to the load balancer. The load balancer queues the messages, and passes them on at an appropriate speed to the public key signature units (60), which verifies the MAC and resigns the message with a public key signature. The front end unit (10) and the public key signature units (60) are preferably individual secure modules with the load balancer (50) being outside the security boundaries. The system enables large numbers of incoming messages to be accurately time-stamped in a secure manner.