WO2003032572A1 - Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates - Google Patents

Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003032572A1
WO2003032572A1 PCT/US2002/033107 US0233107W WO03032572A1 WO 2003032572 A1 WO2003032572 A1 WO 2003032572A1 US 0233107 W US0233107 W US 0233107W WO 03032572 A1 WO03032572 A1 WO 03032572A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
certificate
approver
requestor
certificate authority
web server
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/033107
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Douglas D. Beattie
Christopher T. M. Bailey
Neal Lewis Creighton, Jr.
David L. Remy
Hani Hamandi
Original Assignee
Geo Trust, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Geo Trust, Inc. filed Critical Geo Trust, Inc.
Priority to EP02801062.7A priority Critical patent/EP1436938B1/en
Priority to AU2002335062A priority patent/AU2002335062B2/en
Priority to CN028248147A priority patent/CN1602601B/en
Priority to CA2463504A priority patent/CA2463504C/en
Priority to JP2003535410A priority patent/JP4608212B2/en
Publication of WO2003032572A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003032572A1/en
Priority to HK05108665.2A priority patent/HK1076950A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/08Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities
    • H04L63/0823Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities using certificates
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/60Protecting data
    • G06F21/62Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
    • G06F21/6218Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2221/00Indexing scheme relating to security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F2221/21Indexing scheme relating to G06F21/00 and subgroups addressing additional information or applications relating to security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F2221/2119Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/04Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
    • H04L63/0428Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
    • H04L63/0442Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/16Implementing security features at a particular protocol layer
    • H04L63/166Implementing security features at a particular protocol layer at the transport layer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and systems for identification, processing and issuance of server based digital certificates.
  • SSL Secure Sockets Layer
  • CSR certificate signing request
  • CA certification authority
  • a traditional method for vetting the web server Requestor is shown in Figure 1.
  • the present invention is directed to methods and systems for automating the identification of the web server Requestor in issuing web server certificates.
  • a computer system and process for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates wherein web server domain-control vetting is employed in the identification and authorization of the Requestor.
  • Domain- control vetting includes the mandatory selection of Approver contact addresses by the Requestor wherein the Approver contact addresses, for example, email addresses, have been generated based on domain information.
  • a Requestor requests a web server certificate from a certificate authority, the certificate authority receives the request. The certificate authority generates Approver email addresses, and the Requestor is required to select an Approver email address or addresses.
  • the Requestor can submit one or more email addresses and if one or more of these email addresses are also certificate authority generated Approver email addresses, then the certificate authority can accept the Requestor submitted email addresses that match.
  • the certificate authority contacts the Approver using the selected email address or addresses and requests that the Approver approve issuance of the certificate. If approved, the certificate authority accepts the request, and creates and signs the certificate and the signed certificate is sent to the Requestor.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] Figure 1 shows one example of the traditional vetting process .
  • Figure 2 shows one preferred embodiment of the vetting process of the present invention, namely, the QuickSSL vetting process.
  • Figures 3a and 3b shows an Initial QuickSSL Premium enrollment page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a CSR Review and confirmation page in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figures 5a and 5b show a Order Contact information page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 shows an Approval selection page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 shows a Payment page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 8a and 8b show an Order Summary and Requestor (Subscriber) confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 9 shows a Confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 shows a Requestor (Applicant) confirmation email in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 11 shows an Approver email in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 12 shows an Approver review and confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 13 shows an Approver confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 14a and 14b show a Fulfillment email in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 15a and 15b show the initial certificate order pages in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figures 16a, 16b and 16c show a enrollment form in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 17 shows the enrollment form in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention wherein a CSR has been pasted into the required field.
  • Figures 18a and 18b show one manifestation of how the enrollment form and other pages in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention are interactive and self-correcting, requiring the Requestor (Subscriber) to correct errors and add omitted but necessary information before proceeding.
  • Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d show the enrollment information conformation and Subscriber Agreement process in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 20 shows the automatic response back to the Requestor (Subscriber) who has submitted the completed certificate request properly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 21 shows a version of the email message the Approver receives requesting approval of the certificate request from the Requestor (Subscriber) in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 22 shows information, terms and conditions, and agreements for the Approver to agree to in approving or disapproving the certificate request in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 23 shows an automated notice confirming the approval of the certificate request in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 24 shows the web server certificate as issued in an email after approval in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 25 shows an automated notice confirming the disapproval by the Approver in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 26 shows a provisioning algorithm in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 27 shows a provisioning architecture in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • domain-control vetting is the process for verifying that a Requestor has permission from an Approver to obtain and install the product.
  • the Approver must demonstrate control of the domain.
  • the Approver is differentiated from the Requestor.
  • the Approver is an individual who has domain-control and has the responsibility for approving the Requestor's request for a domain-control vetted product (such as QuickSSL) .
  • the Requestor is the end user requesting the SSL certificate.
  • domain-control vetted orders the Requestor selects the Approver email address from a list of authoritative email addresses.
  • Certificate Signing Request is a block of information typically generated by the Web Server software that is meant to be submitted to a Certificate Authority (CA) in return for a SSL certificate.
  • CA Certificate Authority
  • the CSR provide the Certificate Authority with the information necessary to generate the SSL Digital Certificate.
  • the Web Server When the Web Server generates the CSR it is actually generating a Private and Public Key pair. The private key is kept secret and the public key is bundled into the CSR.
  • the CSR is digitally signed by the private key which proves to the CA that the Web Server has possession of the private key (called "proof of possession") .
  • the system obtains the technical and administrative contacts from the Whols system- a database mandated by ICANN to be maintained by the domain registrars. In the case the system cannot determine the exact role of the person it will, in certain instances, pull out any e-mail address, for example the e-mail addresses in the response message could be for administrative, technical, billing or other e-mail addresses.
  • the following list of mail box names namely: admin, administrator, hostmaster, info, root, ssladmin, sysadmin, webmaster, or other names, may be pre-appended to the 2, 3, 4, ... N component domain of the certificate being requested.
  • the system in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention would allow the following: admin@us.secure.geotrust.com; admin@secure.geotrust.com; and admin@geotrust.com for each and every of the "mail boxes" listed above.
  • the Requestor chooses an Approver email, reviews the order information, agrees to the subscriber agreement and completes the order, including payment, and can review the order. See Figures 6, 7, 8a and 8b.
  • An e-mail is sent to the administrative and technical contacts acknowledging the receipt of the order, and the Approver e-mail is sent to the Approver. See Figures 9, 10 and 11.
  • Approver receives email with embedded link to the approval site back at the CA and the Approver reviews the order information and either approves or rejects. See Figures 11, 12 and 13.
  • Requestor receives digital certificate (and/or other fulfillment) via email. See Figures 14a and 14b.
  • the Requestor in this embodiment is either the Web domain name registrant who will receive and use the SSL server certificate on the site, or a hosting company/Internet service provider or other agent acting upon the registrant's behalf, views initial certificate order pages and chooses to "order now.” This brings Subscriber to a detailed instruction page, including technical assistance and hyperlinks to other resources and instructions. To proceed, Requestor clicks on "apply now” and is taken to the next page. See Figures 15a and 15b. [0045] The Requestor completes an Enrollment Form providing Requestor Contact and Technical Contact information (including email address) for future communications from Issuer.
  • Requestor generates a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) through standard computer software, and pastes a copy of the CSR in the field indicated on the Enrollment Form to request the SSL server certificate.
  • CSR Certificate Signing Request
  • This page and other pages contain relevant terms and conditions for the transaction and process (e.g., references to the applicable Certificate Practice Statement.
  • the Enrollment Form showing a CSR pasted into required field is shown on Figure 17.
  • the Requestor After submitting the Enrollment Form, the Requestor is asked to confirm basic information elements extracted from the Form, including information concerning the Requestor's server's fully qualified domain name, organization, organizational unit, city, state, and country that was extracted from the CSR generated by the Requestor and pasted into the form. This data is presented for approval in the exact form that it will be inserted automatically in the SSL server certificate generated by this process and invention. See Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d. [0048] The Requestor is also required to select an email address for the official person (the "Approver") associated with the domain name who will be asked to approve the issuance of the certificate with the specific data elements contained in the CSR. See Figures 19b, 19c and 19d.
  • the choices offered in the form for email address for the Approver, the Approver Email Addresses are limited to those chosen by the Issuer, and cannot be altered or amended by the Requestor. Please note that the Approver Email Address choices offered on this page are not created by the Requestor or entered into the Enrollment Form by the Requestor, and so the Requestor cannot divert or "short circuit" the approval process by directing the email message requesting official approval of the certificate issuance request to the Requestor or to an unauthorized person. This provides a security element of the automated process and invention.
  • the Approver Email Addresses can be generated or selected according to different algorithms designed for security or other purposes. They may be selected by automated and/or online processes which are also part of the automated process and invention, or they may be selected by off-line processes.
  • the Approver Email Addresses can be composed some or all of the following data and algorithms: (1) elements created dynamically and automatically from Issuer or third party data sources in response to data or choices made by the Requestor, (2) elements created dynamically and automatically from data submitted by the Requestor, and (3) elements created dynamically and automatically or statically from off-line or pre-set Issuer or other algorithms.
  • instant messaging or other such electronic communication means could be implemented in addition to or in place of email technology for this aspect to the present invention.
  • the Requestor's domain name as entered into an enrollment form and/or as contained in the contact email addresses entered into an enrollment form submitted by the Requestor is compared with the domain name contained in the CN field of the CSR submitted by the Requestor, and the application is rejected if the two names do not match.
  • the Requestor's 0 or OU name(s) (organization and organization unit) , L (city) , S (state or province) , and/or C (country) information contained in the CN field of the CSR submitted by the Requestor is compared with the corresponding data submitted by the Requestor or other data, and the application is rejected if the two names do not match.
  • the proceeding comparisons are both employed.
  • the process could also include an automated check of any public or private information source via the Internet or any other communications means, including the Issuer's own data or the data of an official or unofficial third party source, followed by a comparison and decision process (e.g., approval or rejection) , and this subprocess could occur at any time in the enrollment and certificate request and issuance process.
  • a comparison and decision process e.g., approval or rejection
  • this subprocess could occur at any time in the enrollment and certificate request and issuance process.
  • the chance of fraud or error in generation and delivery of the certificate to the wrong party is substantially reduced.
  • the checking of the Official Email Addresses associated with the domain name contained in the CSR occurs automatically after the Requestor submits the Enrollment Form with the CSR pasted in, and the subsequent Enrollment pages were modified by using the information obtained through that automatic checking of a third party data source.
  • Approver Email Addresses listed in the three columns to the right on Figures 19b, 19c and 19d include: (1) the Level 4 domain name contained in the CSR (i.e., elements created dynamically and automatically from data submitted by the Requestor) and (2) prefixes consisting of the most commonly-used official email contact addresses for domain names (i.e., elements created dynamically and automatically or statically from off-line or pre-set Issuer or other algorithms) .
  • Approver Email Address choices could be composed of all three of the data and algorithms sources described above, or any combination thereof, or any other relevant sources.
  • the Requestor in this embodiment is required to agree to a Requestor Agreement with the Issuer before the process can continue. Clicking "I Agree" triggers the next step.
  • Figure 20 shows an automatic response back to the Requestor who has submitted the completed certificate request properly, and includes instructions for further communications.
  • Figure 21 shows a version of the email message the Approver receives requesting approval of the certificate request from the Requestor. It contains a hyperlink taking the Approver to the Issuer's approval site. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, this message and link to an approval page can only go to one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms.
  • the Issuer's approval site may contain additional information, terms and conditions, and agreements for the Approver to agree to, or may simply contain a button, or other mechanism, allowing the Approver to approve or disapprove the certificate request. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, this approval step can only be taken by an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process. See Figure 22. [0060] If the Approver approves the request, the Approver (and others, such as the other contact persons listed in the original Enrollment Form) receives an automated notice confirming the approval. See Figure 23.
  • this approval message will necessarily be sent to an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process.
  • the Approver approves the certificate request
  • the Issuer's Certificate Authority automatically and dynamically generates the certificate and sends it by email to the Approver (and others, in accordance with the particular embodiment, such as the other contact persons listed in the original Enrollment Form) . See Figure 24.
  • FIG. 24 A sample automated message transmitting the digital certificate is shown as Figure 24.
  • the message may also contain instructions or hyperlinks to instructions for installation. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, a copy of this certificate transmittal message will necessarily be sent to an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process. [0063] If the Approver disapproves the request, the Approver (and others, such as the other contact persons listed in the original Enrollment Form) receives an automated notice confirming the disapproval. See Figure 25.
  • this disapproval message will necessarily be sent to an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process.
  • the Approver rejects the request, they can not later approve it. If they approve it, they can not later reject it. The state is changed.
  • the Enrollment Form can request payment information (e.g., credit card information) from the Requestor, and the process can automatically and dynamically check for payment authorization and post the charge upon approval of the certificate request by the Approver.
  • payment information e.g., credit card information
  • information gained through the automatic payment process can be used for comparison and/or verification of other information contained in the Enrollment Form and/or CSR, and further process decisioning (e.g., accept or reject) can be based on specific algorithms.
  • the techniques are implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers that each include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements) , at least one input device and one or more output devices.
  • Program code is applied to data entered using the input device to perform the functions described and to generate output information.
  • the output information is applied to one or more output devices.
  • Each program is preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system, however, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language or other computer language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language.
  • the Requestor may engage a partner of the CA to assist in obtaining the certificate for the Requestor.
  • the partner may perform varying levels of the ordering process workflow.
  • a telephone verification step could be added to the process where by the person requesting the certificate, or the Approver are called via a computer program and asked to enter some information that is displayed on the web browser. The intent of this is to collect another verified piece of information - the phone number (in addition to the Approver e-mail address) to reduce risk and improve security while at the same time making this an automated, quick process.
  • the person called may be requested to say something that is then recorded by the system.
  • This voice print can be used later to verify user identity if needed (for example, by law enforcement) .
  • a voice recording further inhibits attempts at fraud.
  • PIN code
  • the Requestor gets to the order summary page and presses confirm a new page is displayed with a code (PIN) on it and some instructions. They are asked to be ready for a phone call at the specified phone number (entered as part of the contact information earlier, or from a corporate data registry (DUNS or similar) , or from the Whols server data, or other sources) . They agree, then the system calls them and asks them to enter the PIN into the phone when prompted. They are also asked to say their name and other information which is recorded for later use.
  • DUNS corporate data registry
  • the phone system passes this PIN back to the enrollment engine where the values are compared. If successful, the system has verified that the Requestor is at the particular phone number and this creates a better audit trail for finding this person later and reduces the risk of fraud. [0080] If the Approver is the individual to be called (as opposed to the Requestor as described above) , the phone call would be performed after they receive their Approver e-mail, come to the Approver site, review the order and press the Approve button. At that point the system would call them and perform the verification. If successful, the system would then issue the certificate.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention would also employ corporate registration data.
  • a record for each order/company in a public registration database would be created or accessed with a globally unique identifier with user disclosed information about them or their company - much like DUNs numbers today (www.dnb.com) .
  • This is currently a perceived important aspect of traditional vetting where companies are highly encouraged to get a DUNs number by self-reporting some information about the company.
  • This profile data would be linked to and from the certificate (which would have the number included, and probably the URL to the data) , and perhaps elsewhere at the CA.
  • the CA would collect the information, post to this repository, create or obtain the globally unique number, and include it in the certificate for the user. Currently users need to go and do this prior to requesting the certificate, so this is a quicker, easier process. Finally, if users have a number already, they can enter it during enrollment and the CA would link to that previously registered entity.
  • a request for a certified for domain name "domain.com” is from a partner (Partner A)
  • the CA can do a DNS look-up and find the authoritative DNS server for this domain.
  • the CA can compare this with the list of DNS servers registered with us for Partner A. If they match, the CA can automatically approve the request, generate the certificate and e-mail to the requestor, tech, billing and Partner A registered contact, or send an approval e-mail to a previously registered e-mail address for Partner A.
  • instant messaging or other such electronic communication means could be implemented in addition to or in place of email technology for this aspect to the present invention.
  • Each such computer program is preferably stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described in this document.
  • a storage medium or device e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk or magnetic diskette
  • the system may also be considered to be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner.
  • the present invention is embodied in the system configuration, method of operation and product or computer-readable medium, such as floppy disks, conventional hard disks, CD-ROMS, Flash ROMS, nonvolatile ROM, RAM and any other equivalent computer memory device. It will be appreciated that the system, method of operation and product may vary as to the details of its configuration and operation without departing from the basic concepts disclosed herein.

Abstract

A computer system and process for automated identification, processing and issuance of digital certificates, wherein web server domain-control vetting is employed in issuance of web server certificates. A Requestor requests a web server certificate from a certificate authority, the certificate authority receives the request. Based on domain information the certificate authority generates Approver email addresses, and the Requestor is required to select an Approver email address or addresses. The certificate authority contacts the Approver using the selected email address or addresses and requests that the Approver approve issuance of the certificate. If approved, the certificate authority accepts the request, and creates and signs the certificate and the signed certificate is sent to the Requestor.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED AUTHENTICATION, PROCESSING AND ISSUANCE OF DIGITAL CERTIFICATES
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/328,766, filed October 12, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark
Office public patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods and systems for identification, processing and issuance of server based digital certificates.
[0003] In order to secure information transmitted over the
Internet, methods have been developed to secure the connection between web browsers and web servers. Secure sockets layer
(SSL) , recently re-named TLS but substantially the same protocol, is a protocol designed to enable communications on an insecure network such as the Internet. SSL provides encryption and integrity of communications along with server authentication using digital certificates. However, an SSL connection does not ensure the identity of the recipient of the information nor does it secure the information once it is decrypted at the web server. Therefore, it is important to be certain that the web server is legitimate.
[0004] It has become common practice to use web server digital certificates to authenticate the identity of a web server to visiting browsers. A user's browser will access the web server's digital certificate when directed to enter a secure session. The certificate, which contains the web server's public key is then used by the browser to authenticate the identity of the website, that is, the web server and to provide the web browser with the web server's public key so that the web browser can encrypt a session key for use in encryption of transmitted data. Since only the web server has the private key to decrypt the user's information, such information remains secure. The web server certificate is issued by a certification authority. Applicants' assignee, GeoTrust, Inc. is a certification authority. Most web browsers are published with a number of root digital certificates (containing public keys) for CA' s already installed and hence the web browser will recognize the CA' s signature and trust the certificate.
[0005] Generally, in order to obtain a certificate, the website owner, the Requestor, will submit a certificate signing request (CSR) , or its equivalent, containing the web server's public key, along with other information, to a certification authority (CA) and the CA, when satisfied as to the identity of the Requestor, will issue a certificate containing the web server's public key and sign the certificate using the CA' s private key. A traditional method for vetting the web server Requestor is shown in Figure 1. The present invention is directed to methods and systems for automating the identification of the web server Requestor in issuing web server certificates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] A computer system and process for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates, wherein web server domain-control vetting is employed in the identification and authorization of the Requestor. Domain- control vetting, in accordance with the present invention, includes the mandatory selection of Approver contact addresses by the Requestor wherein the Approver contact addresses, for example, email addresses, have been generated based on domain information. A Requestor requests a web server certificate from a certificate authority, the certificate authority receives the request. The certificate authority generates Approver email addresses, and the Requestor is required to select an Approver email address or addresses. On the other hand, the Requestor can submit one or more email addresses and if one or more of these email addresses are also certificate authority generated Approver email addresses, then the certificate authority can accept the Requestor submitted email addresses that match. The certificate authority contacts the Approver using the selected email address or addresses and requests that the Approver approve issuance of the certificate. If approved, the certificate authority accepts the request, and creates and signs the certificate and the signed certificate is sent to the Requestor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] Figure 1 shows one example of the traditional vetting process .
[0008] Figure 2 shows one preferred embodiment of the vetting process of the present invention, namely, the QuickSSL vetting process.
[0009] Figures 3a and 3b shows an Initial QuickSSL Premium enrollment page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] Figure 4 shows a CSR Review and confirmation page in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] Figures 5a and 5b show a Order Contact information page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0012] Figure 6 shows an Approval selection page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] Figure 7 shows a Payment page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Figures 8a and 8b show an Order Summary and Requestor (Subscriber) confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Figure 9 shows a Confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 10 shows a Requestor (Applicant) confirmation email in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0017] Figure 11 shows an Approver email in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 12 shows an Approver review and confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0019] Figure 13 shows an Approver confirmation page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0020] Figures 14a and 14b show a Fulfillment email in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0021] Figures 15a and 15b show the initial certificate order pages in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Figures 16a, 16b and 16c show a enrollment form in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. [0023] Figure 17 shows the enrollment form in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention wherein a CSR has been pasted into the required field.
[0024] Figures 18a and 18b show one manifestation of how the enrollment form and other pages in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention are interactive and self-correcting, requiring the Requestor (Subscriber) to correct errors and add omitted but necessary information before proceeding.
[0025] Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d show the enrollment information conformation and Subscriber Agreement process in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. [0026] Figure 20 shows the automatic response back to the Requestor (Subscriber) who has submitted the completed certificate request properly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 21 shows a version of the email message the Approver receives requesting approval of the certificate request from the Requestor (Subscriber) in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] Figure 22 shows information, terms and conditions, and agreements for the Approver to agree to in approving or disapproving the certificate request in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Figure 23 shows an automated notice confirming the approval of the certificate request in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Figure 24 shows the web server certificate as issued in an email after approval in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Figure 25 shows an automated notice confirming the disapproval by the Approver in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] Figure 26 shows a provisioning algorithm in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. [0033] Figure 27 shows a provisioning architecture in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0034] The aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. What follows are preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All the features disclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative features serving the same purpose, and equivalents or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined herein and equivalents thereto. Use of absolute terms, such as
"will not will," "shall," "shall not," "must," and "must not," are not meant to limit the present invention as the embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary. [0035] This is a description for how the invention would apply to automated identification, processing, and issuance of digital certificates. For example, SSL server certificates, in this case through an Issuer's Web portal. This is only one of many potential systems, process flows and applications for the invention. A FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] In accordance with the present invention the automated methods and systems for Requestor identification may be referred to as domain-control vetting, an example of the process for domain-control vetting is shown in Figure 2. Domain control vetting is the process for verifying that a Requestor has permission from an Approver to obtain and install the product. The Approver must demonstrate control of the domain. Thus, in the present invention the Approver is differentiated from the Requestor. The Approver is an individual who has domain-control and has the responsibility for approving the Requestor's request for a domain-control vetted product (such as QuickSSL) . The Requestor is the end user requesting the SSL certificate. In domain-control vetted orders the Requestor selects the Approver email address from a list of authoritative email addresses.
[0037] In initiating the request, the Requestor fills out an order form including Certificate Signing Request (CSR) , and order contact information. See Figures 3a, 3b, 4, 5a and 5b. The Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is a block of information typically generated by the Web Server software that is meant to be submitted to a Certificate Authority (CA) in return for a SSL certificate. The CSR provide the Certificate Authority with the information necessary to generate the SSL Digital Certificate. When the Web Server generates the CSR it is actually generating a Private and Public Key pair. The private key is kept secret and the public key is bundled into the CSR. The CSR is digitally signed by the private key which proves to the CA that the Web Server has possession of the private key (called "proof of possession") .
[0038] Next the Requestor is presented with a list of potential Approver emails. See Figure 6. This list may be generated by combining domain related information. Disclosed below are three types of addresses which may be utilized. Of course there are other ways of determining the Approver' s email address in accordance with the present invention. In this step of the process, the choices offered in the form for email address for the Approver (Approver Email Address or Addresses) are limited to those chosen by the Issuer, and cannot be altered or amended by the Requestor. The Approver Email Address choices offered on this page (Figure 6) are not created by Requestor or entered into the Enrollment Form by the Requestor, and so the Requestor cannot divert or "short circuit" the approval process by directing the email message requesting official approval of the certificate issuance request to the Requestor or to an unauthorized person. This provides a security element of the automated process and system of the present invention.
[0039] In the first type, the system obtains the technical and administrative contacts from the Whols system- a database mandated by ICANN to be maintained by the domain registrars. In the case the system cannot determine the exact role of the person it will, in certain instances, pull out any e-mail address, for example the e-mail addresses in the response message could be for administrative, technical, billing or other e-mail addresses. [0040] In the second type, the following list of mail box names, namely: admin, administrator, hostmaster, info, root, ssladmin, sysadmin, webmaster, or other names, may be pre-appended to the 2, 3, 4, ... N component domain of the certificate being requested. For example, if the requested certificate was for "us.secure.geotrust.com", then the system in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention would allow the following: admin@us.secure.geotrust.com; admin@secure.geotrust.com; and admin@geotrust.com for each and every of the "mail boxes" listed above.
[0041] In the third type, "standard", fixed address sent to the CA' s customer support group (support@CA.com) where they will address this on a case by case basis. For example, by sending it to support@ca.com or support@geotrust.com.
[0042] The Requestor chooses an Approver email, reviews the order information, agrees to the subscriber agreement and completes the order, including payment, and can review the order. See Figures 6, 7, 8a and 8b. [0043] An e-mail is sent to the administrative and technical contacts acknowledging the receipt of the order, and the Approver e-mail is sent to the Approver. See Figures 9, 10 and 11. Approver receives email with embedded link to the approval site back at the CA and the Approver reviews the order information and either approves or rejects. See Figures 11, 12 and 13. Requestor receives digital certificate (and/or other fulfillment) via email. See Figures 14a and 14b. A SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0044] The Requestor in this embodiment is either the Web domain name registrant who will receive and use the SSL server certificate on the site, or a hosting company/Internet service provider or other agent acting upon the registrant's behalf, views initial certificate order pages and chooses to "order now." This brings Subscriber to a detailed instruction page, including technical assistance and hyperlinks to other resources and instructions. To proceed, Requestor clicks on "apply now" and is taken to the next page. See Figures 15a and 15b. [0045] The Requestor completes an Enrollment Form providing Requestor Contact and Technical Contact information (including email address) for future communications from Issuer. Requestor generates a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) through standard computer software, and pastes a copy of the CSR in the field indicated on the Enrollment Form to request the SSL server certificate. This page and other pages contain relevant terms and conditions for the transaction and process (e.g., references to the applicable Certificate Practice Statement. To proceed, Requestor clicks "submit." See Figure 16a, 16b and 16c. The Enrollment Form showing a CSR pasted into required field is shown on Figure 17.
[0046] The Enrollment form and other pages in the process are interactive and self-correcting, requiring the Requestor to correct errors and add omitted but necessary information before proceeding. Figures 18a and 18b.
[0047] After submitting the Enrollment Form, the Requestor is asked to confirm basic information elements extracted from the Form, including information concerning the Requestor's server's fully qualified domain name, organization, organizational unit, city, state, and country that was extracted from the CSR generated by the Requestor and pasted into the form. This data is presented for approval in the exact form that it will be inserted automatically in the SSL server certificate generated by this process and invention. See Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d. [0048] The Requestor is also required to select an email address for the official person (the "Approver") associated with the domain name who will be asked to approve the issuance of the certificate with the specific data elements contained in the CSR. See Figures 19b, 19c and 19d. In this step of the process, the choices offered in the form for email address for the Approver, the Approver Email Addresses, are limited to those chosen by the Issuer, and cannot be altered or amended by the Requestor. Please note that the Approver Email Address choices offered on this page are not created by the Requestor or entered into the Enrollment Form by the Requestor, and so the Requestor cannot divert or "short circuit" the approval process by directing the email message requesting official approval of the certificate issuance request to the Requestor or to an unauthorized person. This provides a security element of the automated process and invention.
[0049] The Approver Email Addresses can be generated or selected according to different algorithms designed for security or other purposes. They may be selected by automated and/or online processes which are also part of the automated process and invention, or they may be selected by off-line processes. As an example, the Approver Email Addresses can be composed some or all of the following data and algorithms: (1) elements created dynamically and automatically from Issuer or third party data sources in response to data or choices made by the Requestor, (2) elements created dynamically and automatically from data submitted by the Requestor, and (3) elements created dynamically and automatically or statically from off-line or pre-set Issuer or other algorithms. It should also be noted that alternately, instant messaging or other such electronic communication means could be implemented in addition to or in place of email technology for this aspect to the present invention. [0050] In this case, as shown in Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d, the choice of Approver Email Addresses combines all three features. For this example, the addresses in the screen shots are "billing@PHPWEBHOSTING.COM" and
"support@PHPVWEB-HOSTING.COM", which are the official contact email addresses listed for this domain name in the official registries. The two choices in the left column under the heading "Authorized Domain Name Administrators" were generated automatically and dynamically in real time by looking up and recording the official listed email addresses for the Administrative Contact and Technical Contact for the domain name that is contained within the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) as received from the Registrant, as those email addresses are registered for the domain in one of many " Whols " domain name registries (the "Official Email Addresses"). The domain name can be read from the Common Name or CN field in the CSR (using X.509 format) .
[0051] In another embodiment, the Requestor's domain name as entered into an enrollment form and/or as contained in the contact email addresses entered into an enrollment form submitted by the Requestor is compared with the domain name contained in the CN field of the CSR submitted by the Requestor, and the application is rejected if the two names do not match. [0052] In another embodiment, the Requestor's 0 or OU name(s) (organization and organization unit) , L (city) , S (state or province) , and/or C (country) information contained in the CN field of the CSR submitted by the Requestor is compared with the corresponding data submitted by the Requestor or other data, and the application is rejected if the two names do not match. IN still yet another embodiment the proceeding comparisons are both employed.
[0053] These automatic and dynamic features can (1) provide additional protection against fraud or mistake, (2) help ensure that the CSR is only approved by an authorized person associated with the domain name that is the CN of the certificate, and (3) help ensure that the certificate is delivered to persons associated with the domain name that is the CN in the certificate.
[0054] The process could also include an automated check of any public or private information source via the Internet or any other communications means, including the Issuer's own data or the data of an official or unofficial third party source, followed by a comparison and decision process (e.g., approval or rejection) , and this subprocess could occur at any time in the enrollment and certificate request and issuance process. In accordance with this algorithm, the chance of fraud or error in generation and delivery of the certificate to the wrong party is substantially reduced. In this case, the checking of the Official Email Addresses associated with the domain name contained in the CSR occurs automatically after the Requestor submits the Enrollment Form with the CSR pasted in, and the subsequent Enrollment pages were modified by using the information obtained through that automatic checking of a third party data source.
[0055] Other Approver Email Address choices are included in three additional columns to the right shown on Figures 19b, 19c and 19d. These addresses were selected by the issuer using the other two data and algorithm sources described above: (1) elements created dynamically and automatically from data submitted by the Requestor; and (2) elements created dynamically and automatically or statically from off-line or pre-set Issuer or other algorithms. In this case, the Approver Email Addresses listed in the three columns to the right on Figures 19b, 19c and 19d include: (1) the Level 4 domain name contained in the CSR (i.e., elements created dynamically and automatically from data submitted by the Requestor) and (2) prefixes consisting of the most commonly-used official email contact addresses for domain names (i.e., elements created dynamically and automatically or statically from off-line or pre-set Issuer or other algorithms) . These alternatives are offered in case the Requestor (which may include a hosting company or Internet service provider, as described above) wishes to choose a different Approver Email Address from those dynamically generated based on the official domain name registry information (for example, because the domain name registrant has delegated the upkeep and operation of the associated Web site to the hosting company or Internet service provider, who is applying for the certificate on the domain name registrant's behalf).
[0056] In other circumstances, the Approver Email Address choices could be composed of all three of the data and algorithms sources described above, or any combination thereof, or any other relevant sources.
[0057] As shown in Figure 19d, the Requestor in this embodiment is required to agree to a Requestor Agreement with the Issuer before the process can continue. Clicking "I Agree" triggers the next step.
[0058] Figure 20 shows an automatic response back to the Requestor who has submitted the completed certificate request properly, and includes instructions for further communications. Figure 21 shows a version of the email message the Approver receives requesting approval of the certificate request from the Requestor. It contains a hyperlink taking the Approver to the Issuer's approval site. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, this message and link to an approval page can only go to one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms.
[0059] The Issuer's approval site may contain additional information, terms and conditions, and agreements for the Approver to agree to, or may simply contain a button, or other mechanism, allowing the Approver to approve or disapprove the certificate request. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, this approval step can only be taken by an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process. See Figure 22. [0060] If the Approver approves the request, the Approver (and others, such as the other contact persons listed in the original Enrollment Form) receives an automated notice confirming the approval. See Figure 23. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, this approval message will necessarily be sent to an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process. [0061] If the Approver approves the certificate request, the Issuer's Certificate Authority automatically and dynamically generates the certificate and sends it by email to the Approver (and others, in accordance with the particular embodiment, such as the other contact persons listed in the original Enrollment Form) . See Figure 24.
[0062] A sample automated message transmitting the digital certificate is shown as Figure 24. The message may also contain instructions or hyperlinks to instructions for installation. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, a copy of this certificate transmittal message will necessarily be sent to an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process. [0063] If the Approver disapproves the request, the Approver (and others, such as the other contact persons listed in the original Enrollment Form) receives an automated notice confirming the disapproval. See Figure 25. Because of the invention features described in connection with Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d above, this disapproval message will necessarily be sent to an individual associated with one of the Approver Email Addresses offered by the Issuer based on the selected algorithms, thereby enhancing authenticity and security in the certificate issuance process. In the process described in Figures 23, 24 and 25, if the Approver rejects the request, they can not later approve it. If they approve it, they can not later reject it. The state is changed.
ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS
[0064] Alternative process feature: The Enrollment Form can request payment information (e.g., credit card information) from the Requestor, and the process can automatically and dynamically check for payment authorization and post the charge upon approval of the certificate request by the Approver. As a further alternative, information gained through the automatic payment process can be used for comparison and/or verification of other information contained in the Enrollment Form and/or CSR, and further process decisioning (e.g., accept or reject) can be based on specific algorithms.
[0065] Having now described preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same purpose, and equivalents or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereto. [0066] For example, the techniques may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of the two. Preferably, the techniques are implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers that each include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements) , at least one input device and one or more output devices. Program code is applied to data entered using the input device to perform the functions described and to generate output information. The output information is applied to one or more output devices. [0067] Each program is preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system, however, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language or other computer language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language.
STILL ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0068] In another embodiment of the present invention the Requestor may engage a partner of the CA to assist in obtaining the certificate for the Requestor. The partner may perform varying levels of the ordering process workflow. [0069] A telephone verification step could be added to the process where by the person requesting the certificate, or the Approver are called via a computer program and asked to enter some information that is displayed on the web browser. The intent of this is to collect another verified piece of information - the phone number (in addition to the Approver e-mail address) to reduce risk and improve security while at the same time making this an automated, quick process. The person called may be requested to say something that is then recorded by the system. This voice print can be used later to verify user identity if needed (for example, by law enforcement) . At the very least, a voice recording further inhibits attempts at fraud. [0070] For example, when the Requestor gets to the order summary page and presses confirm a new page is displayed with a code (PIN) on it and some instructions. They are asked to be ready for a phone call at the specified phone number (entered as part of the contact information earlier, or from a corporate data registry (DUNS or similar) , or from the Whols server data, or other sources) . They agree, then the system calls them and asks them to enter the PIN into the phone when prompted. They are also asked to say their name and other information which is recorded for later use. The phone system passes this PIN back to the enrollment engine where the values are compared. If successful, the system has verified that the Requestor is at the particular phone number and this creates a better audit trail for finding this person later and reduces the risk of fraud. [0080] If the Approver is the individual to be called (as opposed to the Requestor as described above) , the phone call would be performed after they receive their Approver e-mail, come to the Approver site, review the order and press the Approve button. At that point the system would call them and perform the verification. If successful, the system would then issue the certificate.
[0081] Another embodiment of the present invention would also employ corporate registration data. A record for each order/company in a public registration database would be created or accessed with a globally unique identifier with user disclosed information about them or their company - much like DUNs numbers today (www.dnb.com) . This is currently a perceived important aspect of traditional vetting where companies are highly encouraged to get a DUNs number by self-reporting some information about the company. This would preferrably be a globally unique ID that can be used to track the certificate back to some additional identifying profile information. [0082] This profile data would be linked to and from the certificate (which would have the number included, and probably the URL to the data) , and perhaps elsewhere at the CA. Users would be able to opt-out of this data being published if they desired. The CA would collect the information, post to this repository, create or obtain the globally unique number, and include it in the certificate for the user. Currently users need to go and do this prior to requesting the certificate, so this is a quicker, easier process. Finally, if users have a number already, they can enter it during enrollment and the CA would link to that previously registered entity.
[0083] Use of DNS server ownership for verifying domain- control. In the case a CA partner is hosting the Requestor's web site, such service normally includes entering and maintaining the DNS entry. This is a mapping between the domain name and the IP address where the server actually resides. Every web connection made by a browser looks up the domain name in a DNS server, obtains the IP address, and then connects to that IP address. If an entity has has control over the DNS server for this domain, it has control over the domain.
[0084] If a request for a certified for domain name "domain.com" is from a partner (Partner A), the CA can do a DNS look-up and find the authoritative DNS server for this domain. The CA can compare this with the list of DNS servers registered with us for Partner A. If they match, the CA can automatically approve the request, generate the certificate and e-mail to the requestor, tech, billing and Partner A registered contact, or send an approval e-mail to a previously registered e-mail address for Partner A. As before, it should also be noted that alternately, instant messaging or other such electronic communication means could be implemented in addition to or in place of email technology for this aspect to the present invention.
[0085] Each such computer program is preferably stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described in this document. The system may also be considered to be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner. For illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the system configuration, method of operation and product or computer-readable medium, such as floppy disks, conventional hard disks, CD-ROMS, Flash ROMS, nonvolatile ROM, RAM and any other equivalent computer memory device. It will be appreciated that the system, method of operation and product may vary as to the details of its configuration and operation without departing from the basic concepts disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:
1. A computer system for automated identification, processing and issuance of digital web server certificates, wherein domain-control vetting is employed in the identification and authorization of a Requestor.
2. A computer system according to claim 1, which functions in accordance with Figure 2.
3. A computer system according to claim 1, which functions in accordance with Figure 26.
4. A computer system according to claim 1, which functions in accordance with Figure 27.
5. A computer system according to claim 1, which functions in accordance with Figures 3a to 14b.
6. A computer system according to claim 1, which functions in accordance with Figures 15a to 25.
A computer system for automated identification, processing and issuance of digital certificates comprising: a. means for a Requestor to request a web server certificate from a certificate authority; b. means for the certificate authority to receive the request; c. means for the certificate authority to obtain domain information for a domain for which the certificate is being requested; d. means for generating Approver email addresses from the domain information; e. means for the Requestor to select Approver email address or addresses; f. means for the certificate authority to contact the Approver using the selected email address or addresses and requesting that the Approver approve issuance of the certificate; g. means for the Approver to deny or approve the request for issuance of the certificate and inform the certificate authority of its denial or approval; h. means for the certificate authority to create and sign the certificate; i. means for sending the signed certificate to the
Requestor. A computerized process for automated identification, processing and issuance of digital certificates, comprising the steps of: a. a Requestor requests a web server certificate from a certificate authority; b. the certificate authority receives the request; c. the certificate authority obtains domain information for the web server; d. the certificate authority generates Approver email addresses from the domain information; e. the Requestor is requested to select Approver email address or addresses; f. the certificate authority contacts the Approver using the selected email address or addresses and requests that the Approver approve issuance of the certificate; g. the certificate authority denies the request if not approved or for any other reason; h. the certificate authority accepts the request if approved, and creates and signs the certificate; i. the signed certificate is sent to the Requestor.
A computerized process for automated identification, processing and issuance of digital certificates, wherein web server domain-control vetting is employed to automatically generate a plurality of mandatory web server Approver email addresses for selection by the certificate Requestor.
10. A computer process according to claim 9, wherein the mandatory web server Approver email addresses are determined in accordance with the process shown in Figure 2.
11. A computer process according to claim 9, wherein the mandatory web server Approver email addresses are determined in accordance with the process shown in Figure 26.
12. A computer process according to claim 9, wherein the mandatory web server Approver email addresses are determined in accordance with the process shown in Figure 27.
13. A computer process according to claim 9, wherein the mandatory web server Approver email addresses are determined in accordance with the process shown in Figures 3a to 14b.
14. A computer process according to claim 9, wherein the mandatory web server Approver email addresses are determined in accordance with the process shown in Figures Figures 15a to 25.
5. A computer system for automated identification, processing and issuance of digital certificates comprising: a. means for a Requestor to request a web server certificate from a certificate authority; b. means for the certificate authority to receive the request; c. means for generating Approver email addresses by pre- appending a mail box name to the 2, 3, 4, ... N component domain of the certificate being requested; d. means for the Requestor to select Approver email address or addresses; e. means for the certificate authority to contact the Approver using the selected email address or addresses and requesting that the Approver approve issuance of the certificate; f. means for the certificate authority to deny the request; g. means for the certificate authority to accept the request, create and sign the certificate; h. means for sending the signed certificate to the Requestor.
PCT/US2002/033107 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates WO2003032572A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02801062.7A EP1436938B1 (en) 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Method for automated identification, processing and issuance of digital certificates
AU2002335062A AU2002335062B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
CN028248147A CN1602601B (en) 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Methods and computer systems for processing and issuance of digital certificates
CA2463504A CA2463504C (en) 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
JP2003535410A JP4608212B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Automatic authentication processing and digital certificate issuing method and system
HK05108665.2A HK1076950A1 (en) 2001-10-12 2005-09-29 Methods and computer systems for processing and issuance of digital certificates

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US32876601P 2001-10-12 2001-10-12
US60/328,766 2001-10-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003032572A1 true WO2003032572A1 (en) 2003-04-17

Family

ID=23282346

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/033107 WO2003032572A1 (en) 2001-10-12 2002-10-15 Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (4) US7003661B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1436938B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4608212B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1602601B (en)
AU (1) AU2002335062B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2463504C (en)
HK (1) HK1076950A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003032572A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7003661B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2006-02-21 Geotrust, Inc. Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
US7114177B2 (en) 2001-03-28 2006-09-26 Geotrust, Inc. Web site identity assurance
US7694135B2 (en) 2004-07-16 2010-04-06 Geotrust, Inc. Security systems and services to provide identity and uniform resource identifier verification
US8234490B2 (en) 2007-06-27 2012-07-31 Globalsign K.K. Server certificate issuing system

Families Citing this family (182)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10031741A1 (en) * 2000-06-29 2002-01-17 Sanguibio Tech Ag Externally applied oxygen carrier preparation for treating oxygen deficiency states of the skin, comprises active agent, specifically hemoglobin or its mixture with myoglobin, incorporated in a gel carrier
US7467140B2 (en) * 2000-06-30 2008-12-16 Verisign, Inc. System, method, and article of manufacture for maintaining and accessing a whois database
US8209246B2 (en) 2001-03-20 2012-06-26 Goldman, Sachs & Co. Proprietary risk management clearinghouse
US20040006532A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2004-01-08 David Lawrence Network access risk management
US20110131136A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2011-06-02 David Lawrence Risk Management Customer Registry
US20030225687A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2003-12-04 David Lawrence Travel related risk management clearinghouse
US7899722B1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2011-03-01 Goldman Sachs & Co. Correspondent bank registry
US20030233319A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2003-12-18 David Lawrence Electronic fund transfer participant risk management clearing
US20040193532A1 (en) * 2001-03-20 2004-09-30 David Lawrence Insider trading risk management
US7904361B2 (en) * 2001-03-20 2011-03-08 Goldman Sachs & Co. Risk management customer registry
US8121937B2 (en) * 2001-03-20 2012-02-21 Goldman Sachs & Co. Gaming industry risk management clearinghouse
US8140415B2 (en) * 2001-03-20 2012-03-20 Goldman Sachs & Co. Automated global risk management
US20020143562A1 (en) * 2001-04-02 2002-10-03 David Lawrence Automated legal action risk management
US7562232B2 (en) * 2001-12-12 2009-07-14 Patrick Zuili System and method for providing manageability to security information for secured items
US10033700B2 (en) 2001-12-12 2018-07-24 Intellectual Ventures I Llc Dynamic evaluation of access rights
US10360545B2 (en) 2001-12-12 2019-07-23 Guardian Data Storage, Llc Method and apparatus for accessing secured electronic data off-line
US7178033B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2007-02-13 Pss Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for securing digital assets
US7921284B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2011-04-05 Gary Mark Kinghorn Method and system for protecting electronic data in enterprise environment
USRE41546E1 (en) 2001-12-12 2010-08-17 Klimenty Vainstein Method and system for managing security tiers
US8065713B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2011-11-22 Klimenty Vainstein System and method for providing multi-location access management to secured items
US7565683B1 (en) * 2001-12-12 2009-07-21 Weiqing Huang Method and system for implementing changes to security policies in a distributed security system
US8006280B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2011-08-23 Hildebrand Hal S Security system for generating keys from access rules in a decentralized manner and methods therefor
US7681034B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2010-03-16 Chang-Ping Lee Method and apparatus for securing electronic data
US7380120B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2008-05-27 Guardian Data Storage, Llc Secured data format for access control
US7921450B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2011-04-05 Klimenty Vainstein Security system using indirect key generation from access rules and methods therefor
US7260555B2 (en) * 2001-12-12 2007-08-21 Guardian Data Storage, Llc Method and architecture for providing pervasive security to digital assets
US7930756B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2011-04-19 Crocker Steven Toye Multi-level cryptographic transformations for securing digital assets
US7921288B1 (en) 2001-12-12 2011-04-05 Hildebrand Hal S System and method for providing different levels of key security for controlling access to secured items
US7950066B1 (en) 2001-12-21 2011-05-24 Guardian Data Storage, Llc Method and system for restricting use of a clipboard application
US8176334B2 (en) * 2002-09-30 2012-05-08 Guardian Data Storage, Llc Document security system that permits external users to gain access to secured files
JP2003256593A (en) * 2002-03-01 2003-09-12 Nec Corp Net identity mark issuing/management system and issuing/ management device, and method used therefor
US7748045B2 (en) 2004-03-30 2010-06-29 Michael Frederick Kenrich Method and system for providing cryptographic document retention with off-line access
US20050071657A1 (en) * 2003-09-30 2005-03-31 Pss Systems, Inc. Method and system for securing digital assets using time-based security criteria
US7512810B1 (en) * 2002-09-11 2009-03-31 Guardian Data Storage Llc Method and system for protecting encrypted files transmitted over a network
US7836310B1 (en) 2002-11-01 2010-11-16 Yevgeniy Gutnik Security system that uses indirect password-based encryption
US7475240B2 (en) * 2002-11-06 2009-01-06 Symantec Corporation System and method for add-on services, secondary authentication, authorization and/or secure communication for dialog based protocols and systems
US7131003B2 (en) * 2003-02-20 2006-10-31 America Online, Inc. Secure instant messaging system
US7890990B1 (en) 2002-12-20 2011-02-15 Klimenty Vainstein Security system with staging capabilities
US8707034B1 (en) 2003-05-30 2014-04-22 Intellectual Ventures I Llc Method and system for using remote headers to secure electronic files
US8005709B2 (en) * 2003-06-17 2011-08-23 Oracle International Corporation Continuous audit process control objectives
US8296167B2 (en) * 2003-06-17 2012-10-23 Nigel King Process certification management
US20040260628A1 (en) * 2003-06-17 2004-12-23 Oracle International Corporation Hosted audit service
US20040260591A1 (en) * 2003-06-17 2004-12-23 Oracle International Corporation Business process change administration
US7941353B2 (en) * 2003-06-17 2011-05-10 Oracle International Corporation Impacted financial statements
US7899693B2 (en) * 2003-06-17 2011-03-01 Oracle International Corporation Audit management workbench
US7730543B1 (en) 2003-06-30 2010-06-01 Satyajit Nath Method and system for enabling users of a group shared across multiple file security systems to access secured files
MXPA06000880A (en) * 2003-07-24 2006-04-19 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Hybrid device and person based authorized domain architecture.
US20050074124A1 (en) * 2003-08-15 2005-04-07 Imcentric, Inc. Management of SSL/TLS certificates
US7703140B2 (en) * 2003-09-30 2010-04-20 Guardian Data Storage, Llc Method and system for securing digital assets using process-driven security policies
US8127366B2 (en) 2003-09-30 2012-02-28 Guardian Data Storage, Llc Method and apparatus for transitioning between states of security policies used to secure electronic documents
US20050086531A1 (en) * 2003-10-20 2005-04-21 Pss Systems, Inc. Method and system for proxy approval of security changes for a file security system
US20050138371A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Pss Systems, Inc. Method and system for distribution of notifications in file security systems
US7827603B1 (en) * 2004-02-13 2010-11-02 Citicorp Development Center, Inc. System and method for secure message reply
US20050209899A1 (en) * 2004-03-16 2005-09-22 Oracle International Corporation Segregation of duties reporting
US7707404B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2010-04-27 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Automated process for a web site to receive a secure socket layer certificate
US8285816B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2012-10-09 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Methods of issuing a certificate for a domain name
US20060168116A1 (en) * 2004-06-25 2006-07-27 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Methods of issuing a domain name certificate
US7702902B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2010-04-20 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Method for a web site with a proxy domain name registration to receive a secure socket layer certificate
US8103761B2 (en) * 2004-06-25 2012-01-24 Go Daddy Holding Company, LLC Methods of issuing a credit for a certificate for a domain name
US8583921B1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2013-11-12 Lingyan Shu Method and system for identity authentication
US8442953B2 (en) 2004-07-02 2013-05-14 Goldman, Sachs & Co. Method, system, apparatus, program code and means for determining a redundancy of information
US8762191B2 (en) * 2004-07-02 2014-06-24 Goldman, Sachs & Co. Systems, methods, apparatus, and schema for storing, managing and retrieving information
US8996481B2 (en) * 2004-07-02 2015-03-31 Goldman, Sach & Co. Method, system, apparatus, program code and means for identifying and extracting information
US8510300B2 (en) 2004-07-02 2013-08-13 Goldman, Sachs & Co. Systems and methods for managing information associated with legal, compliance and regulatory risk
US7707427B1 (en) * 2004-07-19 2010-04-27 Michael Frederick Kenrich Multi-level file digests
US20060059026A1 (en) * 2004-08-24 2006-03-16 Oracle International Corporation Compliance workbench
US8615653B2 (en) * 2004-09-01 2013-12-24 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Methods and systems for dynamic updates of digital certificates via subscription
US20060047965A1 (en) * 2004-09-01 2006-03-02 Wayne Thayer Methods and systems for dynamic updates of digital certificates with hosting provider
US8904040B2 (en) * 2004-10-29 2014-12-02 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Digital identity validation
US20080022013A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2008-01-24 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Publishing domain name related reputation in whois records
US8117339B2 (en) * 2004-10-29 2012-02-14 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Tracking domain name related reputation
US20060095404A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2006-05-04 The Go Daddy Group, Inc Presenting search engine results based on domain name related reputation
US20080028443A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2008-01-31 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Domain name related reputation and secure certificates
US20070208940A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2007-09-06 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Digital identity related reputation tracking and publishing
US20060095459A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2006-05-04 Warren Adelman Publishing domain name related reputation in whois records
US9015263B2 (en) 2004-10-29 2015-04-21 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Domain name searching with reputation rating
US20080028100A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2008-01-31 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Tracking domain name related reputation
US20060200487A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2006-09-07 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Domain name related reputation and secure certificates
US20060143442A1 (en) * 2004-12-24 2006-06-29 Smith Sander A Automated issuance of SSL certificates
US7716243B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2010-05-11 Microsoft Corporation Provisions for validating content using a content registration authority
JP2006244081A (en) * 2005-03-02 2006-09-14 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Server with authentication function and method
US7523053B2 (en) * 2005-04-25 2009-04-21 Oracle International Corporation Internal audit operations for Sarbanes Oxley compliance
US8621078B1 (en) * 2005-08-15 2013-12-31 F5 Networks, Inc. Certificate selection for virtual host servers
US7921456B2 (en) * 2005-12-30 2011-04-05 Microsoft Corporation E-mail based user authentication
US7885841B2 (en) 2006-01-05 2011-02-08 Oracle International Corporation Audit planning
IL173128A0 (en) * 2006-01-12 2006-06-11 Yaacoby Eli Method for authenticating a website
US20080022097A1 (en) * 2006-06-15 2008-01-24 Microsoft Corporation Extensible email
US10453029B2 (en) * 2006-08-03 2019-10-22 Oracle International Corporation Business process for ultra transactions
US8719574B2 (en) * 2006-08-31 2014-05-06 Red Hat, Inc. Certificate generation using virtual attributes
US8327142B2 (en) 2006-09-27 2012-12-04 Secureauth Corporation System and method for facilitating secure online transactions
US20080077791A1 (en) * 2006-09-27 2008-03-27 Craig Lund System and method for secured network access
US20090025080A1 (en) * 2006-09-27 2009-01-22 Craig Lund System and method for authenticating a client to a server via an ipsec vpn and facilitating a secure migration to ssl vpn remote access
WO2008046246A1 (en) * 2006-10-18 2008-04-24 Kamfu Wong System and method for preventing spam by using pay-charge-contribution and authentication means
US7680956B2 (en) * 2006-10-24 2010-03-16 Cisco Technology, Inc. Communicating additional information in a DNS update response by requesting deletion of a specific record
US8291227B2 (en) * 2007-02-02 2012-10-16 Red Hat, Inc. Method and apparatus for secure communication
JP4892008B2 (en) * 2007-02-07 2012-03-07 日本電信電話株式会社 Certificate authentication method, certificate issuing device, and authentication device
US8135950B2 (en) * 2007-02-27 2012-03-13 Red Hat, Inc. Method and apparatus for managing digital certificates
US20090271428A1 (en) * 2007-05-09 2009-10-29 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Tracking digital identity related reputation data
US8365257B1 (en) * 2007-06-01 2013-01-29 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Secure web portal with delegated secure administration
JP4128610B1 (en) 2007-10-05 2008-07-30 グローバルサイン株式会社 Server certificate issuing system
US8332629B2 (en) * 2007-07-16 2012-12-11 Red Hat, Inc. Mail certificate responder
US8117439B2 (en) * 2008-01-24 2012-02-14 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Issuing secure certificate using domain zone control validation
US9183368B2 (en) * 2008-01-24 2015-11-10 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Validating control of domain zone
CA2621147C (en) * 2008-02-15 2013-10-08 Connotech Experts-Conseils Inc. Method of bootstrapping an authenticated data session configuration
US7653577B2 (en) 2008-02-19 2010-01-26 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Validating e-commerce transactions
US8301877B2 (en) 2008-03-10 2012-10-30 Secureauth Corporation System and method for configuring a valid duration period for a digital certificate
US8533453B2 (en) 2008-03-12 2013-09-10 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Method and system for configuring a server and dynamically loading SSL information
US20090240936A1 (en) * 2008-03-20 2009-09-24 Mark Lambiase System and method for storing client-side certificate credentials
US20090307486A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2009-12-10 Garret Grajek System and method for secured network access utilizing a client .net software component
US8156550B2 (en) * 2008-06-20 2012-04-10 Microsoft Corporation Establishing secure data transmission using unsecured E-mail
US8312033B1 (en) 2008-06-26 2012-11-13 Experian Marketing Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for providing an integrated identifier
JP4252620B1 (en) 2008-08-27 2009-04-08 グローバルサイン株式会社 Server certificate issuing system
US20100107085A1 (en) * 2008-10-29 2010-04-29 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Control panel for managing multiple online data management solutions
US20100106764A1 (en) * 2008-10-29 2010-04-29 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Datacenter hosting multiple online data management solutions
US20100106615A1 (en) * 2008-10-29 2010-04-29 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Providing multiple online data management solutions
JP4650556B2 (en) * 2008-10-31 2011-03-16 ブラザー工業株式会社 Network equipment
US20100138907A1 (en) * 2008-12-01 2010-06-03 Garret Grajek Method and system for generating digital certificates and certificate signing requests
KR20100066169A (en) * 2008-12-09 2010-06-17 한국전자통신연구원 System and method for private information management using anonymous authentication
US20100217975A1 (en) * 2009-02-25 2010-08-26 Garret Grajek Method and system for secure online transactions with message-level validation
US8707031B2 (en) 2009-04-07 2014-04-22 Secureauth Corporation Identity-based certificate management
US20110055249A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Social website account authentication via search engine based domain name control validation
US20110055562A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Public key certificate based social website account authentication
US8751586B2 (en) * 2009-08-28 2014-06-10 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Domain name control based social website account authentication
US20110055911A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Business validation based social website account authentication
US20110055248A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 The Go Daddy Group, Inc. Search engine based domain name control validation
US8613067B2 (en) 2009-11-17 2013-12-17 Secureauth Corporation Single sign on with multiple authentication factors
US8375204B2 (en) 2009-12-16 2013-02-12 Symantec Corporation Method and system to combine multiple digital certificates using the subject alternative name extension
US8364954B2 (en) 2009-12-16 2013-01-29 Symantec Corporation Method and system for provisioning multiple digital certificates
US9055059B1 (en) 2009-12-16 2015-06-09 Symantec Corporation Combining multiple digital certificates
US9680819B2 (en) * 2009-12-23 2017-06-13 Symantec Corporation Method and system for co-termination of digital certificates
US8468583B2 (en) * 2010-02-23 2013-06-18 Symantec Corporation Streamlined process for enrollment of multiple digital certificates
WO2011106716A1 (en) 2010-02-25 2011-09-01 Secureauth Corporation Security device provisioning
US8744956B1 (en) 2010-07-01 2014-06-03 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for permission arbitrated transaction services
US8931058B2 (en) 2010-07-01 2015-01-06 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for permission arbitrated transaction services
US9225510B1 (en) 2010-08-17 2015-12-29 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Website secure certificate status determination via partner browser plugin
US9225511B1 (en) 2010-08-17 2015-12-29 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Systems for determining website secure certificate status via partner browser plugin
US10164922B2 (en) * 2010-09-27 2018-12-25 International Business Machines Corporation Secure electronic message conveyance
USD774529S1 (en) 2010-11-04 2016-12-20 Bank Of America Corporation Display screen with graphical user interface for funds transfer
US9147042B1 (en) 2010-11-22 2015-09-29 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for data verification
US9032204B2 (en) 2011-01-07 2015-05-12 Mastercard International Incorporated Methods and systems for providing a signed digital certificate in real time
US8677308B2 (en) 2011-01-07 2014-03-18 Mastercard International Incorporated Method and system for generating an API request message
US8707276B2 (en) 2011-01-07 2014-04-22 Mastercard International Incorporated Method and system for managing programmed applications in an open API environment
US9083534B2 (en) 2011-01-07 2015-07-14 Mastercard International Incorporated Method and system for propagating a client identity
US8671385B2 (en) 2011-01-07 2014-03-11 Mastercard International Incorporated Methods and systems for throttling calls to a service application through an open API
USD774526S1 (en) 2011-02-21 2016-12-20 Bank Of America Corporation Display screen with graphical user interface for funds transfer
USD774527S1 (en) 2011-02-21 2016-12-20 Bank Of America Corporation Display screen with graphical user interface for funds transfer
USD774528S1 (en) 2011-02-21 2016-12-20 Bank Of America Corporation Display screen with graphical user interface for funds transfer
US9665854B1 (en) 2011-06-16 2017-05-30 Consumerinfo.Com, Inc. Authentication alerts
US9106691B1 (en) 2011-09-16 2015-08-11 Consumerinfo.Com, Inc. Systems and methods of identity protection and management
US20130179768A1 (en) * 2012-01-05 2013-07-11 International Business Machines Corporation Differentiated Information Display For Certified and Uncertified Web Page Versions
US8819794B2 (en) * 2012-01-19 2014-08-26 Microsoft Corporation Integrating server applications with multiple authentication providers
CN103368815B (en) * 2012-03-29 2017-11-28 富泰华工业(深圳)有限公司 E-mail sending system and method based on data security
CN102710601B (en) * 2012-05-03 2015-07-22 苏州大学 Method for security encryption and signing based on identity file
USD770478S1 (en) 2012-09-07 2016-11-01 Bank Of America Corporation Communication device with graphical user interface
US9280651B2 (en) 2012-09-10 2016-03-08 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Securely handling server certificate errors in synchronization communication
US8856894B1 (en) 2012-11-28 2014-10-07 Consumerinfo.Com, Inc. Always on authentication
US9633322B1 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-04-25 Consumerinfo.Com, Inc. Adjustment of knowledge-based authentication
US10664936B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-05-26 Csidentity Corporation Authentication systems and methods for on-demand products
US9721147B1 (en) 2013-05-23 2017-08-01 Consumerinfo.Com, Inc. Digital identity
US9178888B2 (en) * 2013-06-14 2015-11-03 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC Method for domain control validation
US9521138B2 (en) 2013-06-14 2016-12-13 Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC System for domain control validation
US9215226B2 (en) * 2013-07-24 2015-12-15 Adobe Systems Incorporated Dynamically mapping users to groups
US9258128B1 (en) * 2013-08-30 2016-02-09 Symantec Corporation Systems and methods for creating customer-specific tools for generating certificate signing requests
US11032265B2 (en) * 2013-11-22 2021-06-08 Digicert, Inc. System and method for automated customer verification
US10373240B1 (en) 2014-04-25 2019-08-06 Csidentity Corporation Systems, methods and computer-program products for eligibility verification
US9467442B2 (en) * 2014-05-23 2016-10-11 Symantec Corporation Automated step-up digital certificate installation process
US10033720B2 (en) * 2014-05-28 2018-07-24 Futurewei Technologies, Inc. Method and system for creating a certificate to authenticate a user identity
US10115089B2 (en) 2014-09-03 2018-10-30 Paypal, Inc. Payment authorization system
KR101642223B1 (en) * 2015-05-12 2016-07-22 주식회사 수산아이앤티 Method for deriving the installation of a private certificate
US10791110B2 (en) * 2015-07-09 2020-09-29 Cloudflare, Inc. Certificate authority framework
US9769153B1 (en) * 2015-08-07 2017-09-19 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Validation for requests
US10305871B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2019-05-28 Cloudflare, Inc. Dynamically serving digital certificates based on secure session properties
US10469268B2 (en) * 2016-05-06 2019-11-05 Pacific Star Communications, Inc. Unified encryption configuration management and setup system
US10320570B2 (en) 2016-08-30 2019-06-11 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Digital security certificate selection and distribution
US11165591B2 (en) * 2016-09-08 2021-11-02 Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. System and method for a dynamic-PKI for a social certificate authority
US10484373B2 (en) * 2017-04-11 2019-11-19 Mastercard International Incorporated Systems and methods for biometric authentication of certificate signing request processing
US10911234B2 (en) 2018-06-22 2021-02-02 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. System and method for a token gateway environment
US11093437B1 (en) 2021-02-16 2021-08-17 Bank Of America Corporation Agentless network access reconciliation
US11575679B2 (en) 2021-02-16 2023-02-07 Bank Of America Corporation Agentless access control system for dynamic calibration of software permissions
US11388057B1 (en) 2021-02-16 2022-07-12 Bank Of America Corporation Agentless control system for lifecycle event management
CN114244516B (en) * 2021-11-09 2023-02-24 亚数信息科技(上海)有限公司 System for safely verifying domain name ownership during multi-year SSL certificate application
TWI815750B (en) * 2022-12-12 2023-09-11 中華電信股份有限公司 Automatic domain verification system, certificate issuance method and computer-readable medium

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5903882A (en) * 1996-12-13 1999-05-11 Certco, Llc Reliance server for electronic transaction system
US5982898A (en) * 1997-03-07 1999-11-09 At&T Corp. Certification process
US6035402A (en) * 1996-12-20 2000-03-07 Gte Cybertrust Solutions Incorporated Virtual certificate authority
US6134658A (en) * 1997-06-09 2000-10-17 Microsoft Corporation Multi-server location-independent authentication certificate management system
EP1054545A2 (en) 1999-05-11 2000-11-22 AT&T Corp. Method and apparatus for authenticating users on a network

Family Cites Families (59)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9119700D0 (en) 1991-09-14 1991-10-30 Int Computers Ltd Cryptographic facility for a data processing system
US5630066A (en) 1994-12-20 1997-05-13 Sun Microsystems, Inc. System and method for locating object view and platform independent object
IL113259A (en) * 1995-04-05 2001-03-19 Diversinet Corp Apparatus and method for safe communication handshake and data transfer
US5896533A (en) * 1995-07-06 1999-04-20 Intel Corporation Accessing internets world-wide web through object linking and embedding technology
US5623600A (en) * 1995-09-26 1997-04-22 Trend Micro, Incorporated Virus detection and removal apparatus for computer networks
GB2308688B (en) 1995-12-29 1999-11-10 Ibm Controlling access to objects in an information handling system
US5855020A (en) * 1996-02-21 1998-12-29 Infoseek Corporation Web scan process
US5894554A (en) * 1996-04-23 1999-04-13 Infospinner, Inc. System for managing dynamic web page generation requests by intercepting request at web server and routing to page server thereby releasing web server to process other requests
AU3000897A (en) 1996-05-13 1997-12-05 Corporation For National Research Initiatives Identifying, managing, accessing, and tracking digital objects and associated rights and payments
US5903651A (en) * 1996-05-14 1999-05-11 Valicert, Inc. Apparatus and method for demonstrating and confirming the status of a digital certificates and other data
US5935207A (en) * 1996-06-03 1999-08-10 Webtv Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing remote site administrators with user hits on mirrored web sites
US5802518A (en) * 1996-06-04 1998-09-01 Multex Systems, Inc. Information delivery system and method
SG67354A1 (en) * 1996-06-27 1999-09-21 Inst Of Systems Science Nation Computationally efficient method for trusted and dynamic digital objects dissemination
US6327656B2 (en) * 1996-07-03 2001-12-04 Timestamp.Com, Inc. Apparatus and method for electronic document certification and verification
US5867651A (en) * 1996-08-27 1999-02-02 International Business Machines Corporation System for providing custom functionality to client systems by redirecting of messages through a user configurable filter network having a plurality of partially interconnected filters
US6154844A (en) * 1996-11-08 2000-11-28 Finjan Software, Ltd. System and method for attaching a downloadable security profile to a downloadable
US6234978B1 (en) * 1997-02-12 2001-05-22 Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon Optical characteristic measuring apparatus
US6275941B1 (en) * 1997-03-28 2001-08-14 Hiatchi, Ltd. Security management method for network system
US6044462A (en) * 1997-04-02 2000-03-28 Arcanvs Method and apparatus for managing key revocation
US5895470A (en) * 1997-04-09 1999-04-20 Xerox Corporation System for categorizing documents in a linked collection of documents
US5875440A (en) * 1997-04-29 1999-02-23 Teleran Technologies, L.P. Hierarchically arranged knowledge domains
CA2289452C (en) 1997-05-09 2008-07-29 Connotech Experts-Conseils Inc. Initial secret key establishment including facilities for verification of identity
US5961591A (en) * 1997-05-13 1999-10-05 Microsoft Corporation Downloading data while rejection of its use may be overridden
US6131162A (en) * 1997-06-05 2000-10-10 Hitachi Ltd. Digital data authentication method
US6018724A (en) * 1997-06-30 2000-01-25 Sun Micorsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for authenticating on-line transaction data
US5983348A (en) * 1997-09-10 1999-11-09 Trend Micro Incorporated Computer network malicious code scanner
US6026166A (en) * 1997-10-20 2000-02-15 Cryptoworx Corporation Digitally certifying a user identity and a computer system in combination
US6226624B1 (en) * 1997-10-24 2001-05-01 Craig J. Watson System and method for pre-authorization of individual account remote transactions
US6236978B1 (en) 1997-11-14 2001-05-22 New York University System and method for dynamic profiling of users in one-to-one applications
US6047377A (en) 1997-12-11 2000-04-04 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Typed, parameterized, and extensible access control permissions
US6357010B1 (en) * 1998-02-17 2002-03-12 Secure Computing Corporation System and method for controlling access to documents stored on an internal network
US6233577B1 (en) * 1998-02-17 2001-05-15 Phone.Com, Inc. Centralized certificate management system for two-way interactive communication devices in data networks
US6018801A (en) * 1998-02-23 2000-01-25 Palage; Michael D. Method for authenticating electronic documents on a computer network
US6199052B1 (en) * 1998-03-06 2001-03-06 Deloitte & Touche Usa Llp Secure electronic transactions using a trusted intermediary with archive and verification request services
US6233618B1 (en) * 1998-03-31 2001-05-15 Content Advisor, Inc. Access control of networked data
US6065055A (en) * 1998-04-20 2000-05-16 Hughes; Patrick Alan Inappropriate site management software
US6209029B1 (en) 1998-05-12 2001-03-27 Silverstream Software, Inc. Method and apparatus for accessing data sources in a three tier environment
US6182227B1 (en) * 1998-06-22 2001-01-30 International Business Machines Corporation Lightweight authentication system and method for validating a server access request
US6351812B1 (en) * 1998-09-04 2002-02-26 At&T Corp Method and apparatus for authenticating participants in electronic commerce
US6301658B1 (en) * 1998-09-09 2001-10-09 Secure Computing Corporation Method and system for authenticating digital certificates issued by an authentication hierarchy
US6157930A (en) * 1998-09-24 2000-12-05 Acceleration Software International Corporation Accelerating access to wide area network information in mode for showing document then verifying validity
JP2000115160A (en) * 1998-10-05 2000-04-21 Ntt Data Corp Public key certificate issuance system and method and recording medium
AU3360600A (en) 1999-02-08 2000-08-25 Geotrust, Inc. Content certification
US20020059364A1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2002-05-16 Christopher M Coulthard Content certification
US6671804B1 (en) * 1999-12-01 2003-12-30 Bbnt Solutions Llc Method and apparatus for supporting authorities in a public key infrastructure
US7054844B2 (en) * 2000-01-05 2006-05-30 Bce Emergis Inc. Secure electronic procurement system and method
US20020035686A1 (en) * 2000-07-14 2002-03-21 Neal Creighton Systems and methods for secured electronic transactions
WO2002006932A2 (en) 2000-07-17 2002-01-24 Equifax, Inc Methods and systems for authenticating business partners for secured electronic transactions
US6658394B1 (en) 2000-08-08 2003-12-02 Squaretrade, Inc. Electronic seals
EP1358590A1 (en) 2001-02-11 2003-11-05 Tüv Rheinland Holding Ag Method for managing certification data
WO2002073364A2 (en) 2001-03-12 2002-09-19 Geotrust, Inc. System and method for providing secure transactions
WO2002078259A1 (en) 2001-03-26 2002-10-03 Geo Trust, Inc. Dynamic content certification
WO2002077793A1 (en) 2001-03-26 2002-10-03 Geo Trust, Inc. Defining content zones
WO2002077831A1 (en) 2001-03-26 2002-10-03 Geo Trust, Inc. Content certification
US7114177B2 (en) * 2001-03-28 2006-09-26 Geotrust, Inc. Web site identity assurance
WO2002082716A1 (en) 2001-04-02 2002-10-17 Geotrust, Inc. Validating content
JP4608212B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2011-01-12 ジオトラスト インコーポレーテッド Automatic authentication processing and digital certificate issuing method and system
US20040107363A1 (en) 2003-08-22 2004-06-03 Emergency 24, Inc. System and method for anticipating the trustworthiness of an internet site
WO2006020095A2 (en) 2004-07-16 2006-02-23 Geotrust, Inc. Security systems and services to provide identity and uniform resource identifier verification

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5903882A (en) * 1996-12-13 1999-05-11 Certco, Llc Reliance server for electronic transaction system
US6035402A (en) * 1996-12-20 2000-03-07 Gte Cybertrust Solutions Incorporated Virtual certificate authority
US5982898A (en) * 1997-03-07 1999-11-09 At&T Corp. Certification process
US6134658A (en) * 1997-06-09 2000-10-17 Microsoft Corporation Multi-server location-independent authentication certificate management system
EP1054545A2 (en) 1999-05-11 2000-11-22 AT&T Corp. Method and apparatus for authenticating users on a network

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1436938A4 *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7114177B2 (en) 2001-03-28 2006-09-26 Geotrust, Inc. Web site identity assurance
US7552466B2 (en) 2001-03-28 2009-06-23 Geotrust, Inc. Web site identity assurance
US7003661B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2006-02-21 Geotrust, Inc. Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
US7120929B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2006-10-10 Geotrust, Inc. Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
US7562212B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2009-07-14 Geotrust, Inc. Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
US8028162B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2011-09-27 Geotrust, Inc. Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
US7694135B2 (en) 2004-07-16 2010-04-06 Geotrust, Inc. Security systems and services to provide identity and uniform resource identifier verification
US8234490B2 (en) 2007-06-27 2012-07-31 Globalsign K.K. Server certificate issuing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2005506737A (en) 2005-03-03
US20050166262A1 (en) 2005-07-28
US7562212B2 (en) 2009-07-14
AU2002335062B2 (en) 2007-07-19
CA2463504C (en) 2013-02-19
JP4608212B2 (en) 2011-01-12
EP1436938A1 (en) 2004-07-14
CN1602601A (en) 2005-03-30
US8028162B2 (en) 2011-09-27
CN1602601B (en) 2010-09-08
US20090133118A1 (en) 2009-05-21
US20030126431A1 (en) 2003-07-03
US20060053483A1 (en) 2006-03-09
US7120929B2 (en) 2006-10-10
EP1436938A4 (en) 2010-10-06
EP1436938B1 (en) 2016-09-07
US7003661B2 (en) 2006-02-21
CA2463504A1 (en) 2003-04-17
HK1076950A1 (en) 2006-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2002335062B2 (en) Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
AU2002335062A1 (en) Methods and systems for automated authentication, processing and issuance of digital certificates
RU2308755C2 (en) System and method for providing access to protected services with one-time inputting of password
US11706036B2 (en) Systems and methods for preserving privacy of a registrant in a domain name system (“DNS”)
US6438690B1 (en) Vault controller based registration application serving web based registration authorities and end users for conducting electronic commerce in secure end-to-end distributed information system
US7725562B2 (en) Method and system for user enrollment of user attribute storage in a federated environment
US6807577B1 (en) System and method for network log-on by associating legacy profiles with user certificates
US7702902B2 (en) Method for a web site with a proxy domain name registration to receive a secure socket layer certificate
US7587491B2 (en) Method and system for enroll-thru operations and reprioritization operations in a federated environment
US6934838B1 (en) Method and apparatus for a service provider to provide secure services to a user
US20030028762A1 (en) Entity authentication in a shared hosting computer network environment
US9667618B2 (en) Method for domain control validation
US20170078276A1 (en) System for domain control validation
WO2006065973A2 (en) Enabling trust in a federated collaboration of networks
Wu PKIX Working Group S. Chokhani (CygnaCom Solutions, Inc.) Internet Draft W. Ford (VeriSign, Inc.) R. Sabett (Cooley Godward LLP) C. Merrill (McCarter & English, LLP)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC PT SE SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REEP Request for entry into the european phase

Ref document number: 2002801062

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2002801062

Country of ref document: EP

Ref document number: 2463504

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2003535410

Country of ref document: JP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2002335062

Country of ref document: AU

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 20028248147

Country of ref document: CN

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2002801062

Country of ref document: EP

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 2002335062

Country of ref document: AU