Information processing apparatus for secure information recovery

An information processing apparatus comprising:

• security hardware for storing security key information;
• OS start admission means for determining whether or not an input data for user certification is valid when an OS starts based on said security key information read from said security hardware and permitting the OS to start if the determination result is positive;
• security key information restoration means for restoring security key information in the security hardware based on predetermined data for restoration;
• OS start type selection means for selecting and executing either a first type OS start for generating a system status in which said security key information restoration means is operable (hereafter, referred to as a “first system status”) and operating said OS start admission means or a functionally restricted second type OS start for generating a functionally restricted system status in which said security key information restoration means is inoperable (hereafter, referred to as a “second system status”) and not operating said OS start admission means;
• cancellation means, generated during a period of the second system status, for canceling the operation of said OS start admission means as to the first type OS start;
• and
• cancel release means for releasing cancellation of the operation of said OS start admission means by said cancellation means after the first type OS start having the operation of said OS start admission means canceled by said cancellation means is executed at least once.