A CRYPTO BACKUP SYSTEM FOR A HIERARCHICAL ORGANIZATION

Abstract

Cryptography is used as a solution for the security of information transmitted over a computer network. In any hierarchical organization, the privacy and integrity of the data transmitted over the network should be maintained. At the same time it may be necessary for a legitimate authority higher in the hierarchy to prevent his subordinates from indulging in activities that may be harmful for the organization. In this dissertation, a security scheme is proposed as a solution to the above problem such that any communication by a user can be kept secret from all others and also giving the seniors of the system the right to eavesdrop. The scheme uses private key cryptography for the message encryption and decryption functions. Public key cryptography is used for key exchange and authentication. Any private and public key cryptosystem can be used. The scheme doesn't require the involvement of the senior or the backup agent(s) for each communication, but the senior can check any communication of the subordinate through the backup agent(s), if he feels the need. Also, because of the backup facility, the scheme provides automatic backup of cryptographic keys.