Method and system for using a compact disk as a smart key device

A method for performing cryptographic functions, the method comprising:

• engaging a removable storage media with a media reading device coupled to a system unit,
• wherein the system unit includes a hardware security unit and a device driver for controlling the media reading device;
• and
• wherein the removable storage media contains a first private key corresponding to a first asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a first public key corresponding to a second asymmetric cryptographic key pair, and
• wherein the hardware security unit contains a second private key corresponding to the second asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a second public key corresponding to the first asymmetric cryptographic key pair;
• performing a mutual authentication operation between the removable storage media and the hardware security unit based upon the first and second asymmetric cryptographic key pairs;
• and
• in response to successfully performing the mutual authentication operation, enabling the system unit to invoke cryptographic functions on the hardware security unit while the removable storage media remains engaged to the media reading device.

A computer program product on a computer readable medium for use in a data processing system for performing cryptographic functions, the computer program product comprising:

• logic, stored on the computer readable medium, for reading a removable storage media with a media reading device coupled to a system unit,
• wherein the system unit includes a hardware security unit and a device driver for controlling the media reading device,
• wherein the removable storage media contains a first private key corresponding to a first asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a first public key corresponding to a second asymmetric cryptographic key pair, and
• wherein the hardware security unit contains a second private key corresponding to the second asymmetric cryptographic key pair and a second public key corresponding the first asymmetric cryptographic key pair;
• logic, stored on the computer readable medium, for performing a mutual authentication operation between the media reading device and the hardware security unit while the removable storage media is engaged with the media reading device;
• and
• logic, stored on the computer readable medium, for enabling cryptographic functions on the hardware security unit while the removable storage media remains engaged with the media reading device system unit in response to successfully performing the mutual authentication operation between the removable storage media and the hardware security unit.