US Patent 7444414 Secure resource access in a distributed environment

A method and system for providing a first network resource with secure but limited access to a second network resource. A method embodying the invention includes receiving, from a client, a request to access the first resource. The client is then directed to an authorization service. The authorization service generates an authorization ticket and provides the authorization ticket to the first resource. On behalf of the first resource, the authorization ticket is presented to the second resource with a request to access the second resource. The request is granted only if it can be verified that the authorization ticket was generated by a source trusted by the second resource.