System and method of secure updating of remote device software

1. A method of updating software stored in a remote postage meter, the method comprising:

computing a hash of initial software stored in the remote postage meter;

cryptographically signing the hash with a private key of the remote postage meter;

providing the signed hash to a server;

receiving cryptographically-signed data from the server, the data comprising a software update and the hash,

using a public key of the server, decrypting the cryptographically-signed data;

verifying the source of the software update by confirming that the hash included in the cryptographically-signed data matches the computed hash of the initial software;

verifying the validity of the software update by confirming that a serial number of the remote postage meter matches a serial number embedded within the software update; and

installing the software update in the remote postage meter.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

at the server, decrypting the signed hash with a public key corresponding to the private key of the remote postage meter.

3. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

prior to receiving the cryptographically-signed data, storing a backup copy of the initial software at the remote postage meter;

subsequent to installing the software update, running a diagnostic test to acquire performance parameters of the remote postage meter; and

sending the performance parameters to the server.

4. The method of claim 3 , comprising receiving instructions from the server to retain the software update.

5. The method of claim 3 , comprising:

receiving instructions from the server to replace the updated software with the backup copy of the initial software;

discarding the updated software; and

restoring the backup copy of the initial software to the remote postage meter.

6. The method of claim 3 , comprising:

receiving instructions from the server to download at least a portion of the cryptographically-signed data; and

downloading the at least a portion of the cryptographically signed data.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server is a postage meter resetting server.

8. A method of updating software stored in a remote postage meter, the method comprising:

computing a hash of initial software stored in the remote postage meter;

storing a backup copy of the initial software at the remote postage meter;

cryptographically signing the hash with a private key of the remote postage meter;

providing the signed hash to a postage meter resetting system;

at the postage meter resetting system, decrypting the signed hash with a public key corresponding to the private key of the remote postage meter;

receiving cryptographically-signed data from the postage meter resetting system, the data comprising a software update and the hash;

using a public key of the postage meter resetting system, decrypting the cryptographically-signed data;

verifying the source of the software update by confirming that the hash included in the cryptographically-signed data matches the computed hash of the initial software;

verifying the validity of the software update by confirming that a serial number of the remote postage meter matches a serial number embedded within the software update;

installing the software update in the remote postage meter;

running a diagnostic test to acquire performance parameters of the remote postage meter;

sending the performance parameters to the postage meter resetting system;

receiving instructions regarding the software update, the instructions based on the performance parameters; and

based on the instructions performing at least one of retaining, discarding, and re-downloading the software update from the sever.