AUTOMATED KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system and method for automatic key and certificate management is disclosed. In particular, a key store in a base computer contains both new and previously viewed cryptographic keys. In one embodiment, for each new key, if a corresponding certificate matches an existing certificate, the new certificate may be automatically downloaded to a mobile communications device without prompting a user.
1 . A computer for managing keys, the computer comprising:
a memory for storing the keys; and
a processor coupled with the memory, the processor being configured to compare keys currently stored in the memory with keys previously stored in the memory for identifying at least one key not previously stored in the memory.
2 . The computer of claim 1 , wherein the identifying comprises generating an indicator for indicating the at least one key not previously stored in the memory.
3 . The computer of claim 2 , further comprising a communication interface for communicating the indicator to a communication device.
4 . The computer of claim 3 , wherein the indicator is automatically generated when the computer establishes communication with the communication device.
5 . The computer of claim 3 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wired interface.
6 . The computer of claim 3 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless interface.
7 . The computer of claim 3 , wherein the communication device comprises a mobile communication device.
8 . The computer of claim 1 , wherein the computer comprises a desktop computer.
9 . The computer of claim 1 , wherein the keys previously stored in the memory consists of keys stored in the memory when the computer previously provided a communication device access to the keys stored in the memory.
10 . The computer of claim 1 , wherein the keys currently stored in the memory comprises keys previously stored in the memory and at least one additional key.
11 . A method for managing keys, the method comprising:
storing the keys in a memory of a computer; and
comparing the keys currently stored in the memory with keys previously stored in the memory for identifying at least one key not previously stored in the memory.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said identifying comprises generating an indicator for indicating the at least one key not previously stored in the memory.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising communicating the indicator to a communication device.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the indicator is automatically generated when the computer establishes communication with the communication device.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the indicator is communicated via a wired interface.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the indicator is communicated via a wireless interface.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the communication device comprises a mobile communication device.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the computer comprises a desktop computer.
19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the keys previously stored in the memory consists of keys stored in the memory when the computer previously provided a communication device access to the keys stored in the memory.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the keys currently stored in the memory comprises keys previously stored in the memory and at least one additional key.
21 . A communication device comprising:
a display;
a communication interface for communicating with a computer; and
a processor coupled with the display and the communication interface, the processor being configured to
access keys stored in a memory of the computer, and
display an indicator for indicating at least one key not previously stored in the memory.
22 . The communication device of claim 21 , wherein the key not previously stored in the memory consists of a key currently stored in the memory but was not stored in the memory when the communication device accessed the memory previously.
23 . The communication device of claim 21 , further comprising an input interface coupled with the processor, wherein the indicator is displayed in response to receiving an input via the input interface.
24 . The communication device of claim 21 , wherein the indicator is displayed when the communication device establishes communication with the computer.
25 . The communication device of claim 21 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wired interface.
26 . The communication device of claim 21 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless interface.
27 . The communication device of claim 21 , wherein the communication device comprises a mobile communication device.
28 . The communication device of claim 21 , wherein the computer comprises a desktop computer.
29 . A method comprising:
accessing keys via a communication interface of a communication device, the keys being stored in a memory of a computer, and
displaying an indicator on a display of the communication device, the indicator indicating at least one key not previously stored in the memory of the computer.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the key not previously stored in the memory consists of a key currently stored in the memory but was not stored in the memory when the communication device accessed the memory previously.
31 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the indicator is displayed in response to receiving an input via an input interface of the communication device.
32 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the indicator is displayed when the communication device establishes communication with the base unit.
33 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wired interface.
34 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless interface.
35 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the communication device comprises a mobile communication device.
36 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the computer comprises a desktop computer.