Patent attributes
A system, method, and program product is provided that uses environments to control access to encryption keys. A request for an encryption key and an environment identifier is received. If the encryption key is not associated with the environment identifier, the request is denied. If they are associated, the system receives user-supplied environment authentication data items from a user. Examples of environment authentication data include passwords, user identifiers, user biometric data (e.g., fingerprint scan, etc.), smart cards, and the like. The system retrieves stored environment authentication data items from a secure (e.g., encrypted) storage location. The retrieved stored environment authentication data items correspond to the environment identifier that was received. The received environment authentication data items are authenticated using the retrieved stored environment authentication data items. If the authentication is successful, the user is allowed use of the requested encryption key, otherwise, the request is denied.
