US Patent 10148433 Private key/public key resource protection scheme

A method and apparatus of enabling access to a resource secured with a shared access control mechanism is provided. The method includes providing a public key and an authentication protected private key for a user. The private key is released to the user after receiving correct authentication. In one embodiment, the authentication may be one or more of a password, pass phrase, biometric, and smart card. The private key may be used to release the shared access control mechanism for the resource. In one embodiment, a plurality of users may have their private key provide access to the shared access control mechanism.