Method and system for performing on-line status checking of digital certificates

A communication system comprising:

• a communication network;
• a server coupled to said communication network for determining a revocation status of a digital certificate in response to a status request associated with a poll for a software patch authenticated by said digital certificate;
• a client coupled to said server through said communication network for initiating said poll and transmitting said status request to said server, wherein a reply from said server to said client notifies said client of said revocation status;
• and
• an on-line secure communication session over said communication network between said client and said server for securely transmitting said reply automatically.

A method of validating a digital authentication comprising:

• a) establishing a secure on-line communication session between a client and a server, wherein said client authenticates said server and requests status information of a digital certificate from said server over said secure communication session;
• b) determining a revocation status of said digital certificate at said server in response to a status request from said client;
• and
• c) notifying said client of said revocation status by securely transferring said revocation status to said client.

A method of validating a digital authentication comprising:

• a) establishing a secure on-line communication session with a client for the transfer of a software patch to said client in response to a polling request for said software patch that is authenticated by a digital certificate;
• b) determining a revocation status of said digital certificate in response to a status request from said client;
• and
• c) notifying said client of said revocation status of said digital certificate prior to any transfer of said software patch to said client over said secure communication session.