System and method for providing a secure environment during the use of electronic documents and data

In a network interfaced with an electronic device, a method, comprising the steps of:

• providing a document encrypted using Public Key Infrastructure ( PKI ) on said electronic device, said encrypted document associated with a workflow;
• providing a server interfaced with said network, said server interfaced with a certificate authority, said certificate authority issuing certificates binding user identities with public and private encryption keys;
• storing at least one encrypted document and an accompanying certificate issued by said certificate authority on said server, said encrypted document associated with a workflow;
• decrypting the encrypted document using the information in said certificate in response to a request from a remotely located device interfaced with said network;
• updating said workflow to indicate the completion of a task listed in said workflow, said task performed using said document;
• and
• storing said previously encrypted document on said electronic device, said previously encrypted document being re-encrypted prior to being stored.

In a network interfaced with an electronic device, a method, comprising the steps of:

• providing an encrypted document on said electronic device, said encrypted document associated with a workflow;
• said workflow being a sequence of steps required to accomplish a task;
• decrypting said encrypted document in response to a request from a remotely located device interfaced with said electronic device via said network;
• performing a task with said document indicated by said workflow;
• and
• updating said workflow to indicate the completion of a task listed in said workflow, said task performed using said document.

In a network interfaced with an electronic device, a method, comprising the steps of:

• providing an encrypted document on said electronic device, said encrypted document associated with a workflow, said workflow being a sequence of steps required to accomplish a task;
• decrypting said encrypted document in response to a request from a remotely located device interfaced with said electronic device via said network;
• updating said workflow to indicate the completion of a task listed in said workflow, said task performed using said document;
• and
• storing said previously encrypted document on said electronic device, said previously encrypted document being re-encrypted prior to being stored.

In a network with an electronic device, said electronic device holding at least one encrypted document associated with a workflow, a medium holding computer-executable steps for a method, said method comprising the steps of:

• decrypting said encrypted document in response to a request from a remotely located device interfaced with said network over a secure connection;
• updating said workflow to indicate the completion of a task listed in said workflow, said task performed using said document;
• and
• storing said previously encrypted document, said previously encrypted document being re-encrypted prior to being stored.