SYSTEM AND METHOD OF HANDLING ENCRYPTED BACKUP DATA

1 . At a mobile communication device, a method of facilitating secure backing up of data in a backup location, said method comprising:

encrypting a symmetric key to form an encrypted symmetric key;

transmitting said encrypted symmetric key to said backup location; and

encrypting said data with said symmetric key, thereby forming encrypted data.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting said encrypted data to said backup location.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving authentication data and wherein said encrypting involves using said authentication data.

4 . The method of claim 3 further comprising generating said symmetric key.

5 . The method of claim 4 wherein said generating said symmetric key involves using said authentication data.

6 . The method of claim 4 wherein said authentication data comprises an alphanumeric password.

7 . The method of claim 6 further comprising:

receiving an indication of a new password;

encrypting said symmetric key using said new password, to form a new encrypted symmetric key; and

transmitting said new encrypted symmetric key to said backup location.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein said data comprises application-specific data.

9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising storing, in a non-volatile portion of a memory at said mobile communication device, said symmetric key.

10 . The method of claim 9 further comprising:

transmitting a request, to said backup location, for said encrypted data;

receiving said encrypted data;

retrieving, from said memory, said symmetric key; and

using said symmetric key to decrypt said encrypted data.

11 . A mobile communication device comprising:

a processor adapted to:

encrypt a symmetric key to form an encrypted symmetric key; and

encrypt said data with said symmetric key, thereby forming encrypted data; and

a transmitter adapted to, responsive to commands from said processor:

transmit said encrypted symmetric key to a backup location.

12 . A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by a processor for facilitating secure backing up of data in backup location, cause said processor to:

encrypt a symmetric key to form an encrypted symmetric key;

transmit said encrypted symmetric key to a backup location; and

encrypt said data with said symmetric key, thereby forming encrypted data.

13 . At a mobile communication device, a method of restoring previously backed up data, said method comprising:

transmitting a request for said previously backed up data;

receiving said previously backed up data;

transmitting a request for a key used to encrypt said previously backed up data;

receiving said key;

using authentication data to decrypt said key, thereby producing a decrypted key; and

using said decrypted key to decrypt said previously backed up data.

14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying a prompt for said authentication data.

15 . The method of claim 13 further comprising, responsive to said receiving said previously backed up data, notifying applications of said receiving.

16 . A mobile communication device comprising:

a transmitter adapted to:

transmit a request for previously backed up data; and

transmit a request for a key used to encrypt said previously backed up data;

a receiver adapted to:

receive said previously backed up data; and

receive said key; and

a processor adapted to:

use authentication data to decrypt said key, thereby producing a decrypted key; and

use said decrypted key to decrypt said previously backed up data.

17 . A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by a processor for restoring previously backed up data, cause said processor to:

transmit a request for said previously backed up data;

receive said previously backed up data;

transmit a request for a key used to encrypt said previously backed up data;

receive said key;

use authentication data to decrypt said key, thereby producing a decrypted key; and

use said decrypted key to decrypt said previously backed up data.

18 . At a mobile communication device, a method of facilitating access to encrypted data restored from a backup location, said method comprising:

receiving an encrypted version of a key, where said key has been used to encrypt said encrypted data;

determining that authentication data has been received; and

using said authentication data to decrypt said encrypted version of said key.

19 . The method of claim 18 further comprising, before said determining:

determining that said authentication data has not been received; and

waiting a predetermined duration.

20 . The method of claim 18 further comprising:

receiving, from said backup location, said encrypted data; and

using said key to decrypt said encrypted data.

21 . At a mobile communication device, a method of facilitating access to encrypted data restored from a backup location, said method comprising:

receiving an encrypted version of a key, where said key has been used to encrypt said encrypted data;

employing a user interface of said mobile communication device to display a prompt requesting authentication data;

determining that said authentication data has been provided; and

using said authentication data to decrypt said encrypted version of said key.