System and method for secure document embedding
AssigneeProtected Mobility, LLC
InventorsAnthony C. FASCENDA, Emil STURNIOLO
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The example non-limiting technology herein uses a Microsoft Office module or other application that automatically encrypts an Office document (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) or other software object and embeds the encrypted data within a “mule” or carrier file of the same type. On user's systems without the module installed, the “mule” file will open normally without exposing the embedded secret file. On systems with the module installed and properly authorized, the user will see the encrypted file open without seeing the “mule” file. This allows the secure transport of a file within a plaintext “mule” file.
Claims6
A method of embedding secure information into a document or other data structure comprising:
- creating a mule file complying with a standard format which includes optional comment fields;
- inserting at least one cryptographic string into a comment field within the mule file, the cryptographic string comprising sensitive information to be communicated;
- communicating and processing the mule file with embedded cryptographic string using a process that ignores the comment fields;
- and
- recovering the cryptographic string and associated sensitive information from the communicated mule file comment field.
A system for communicating sensitive information comprising:
- embedding cryptographic information into a comments field of a mule file;
- communicating the mule file using standard communications channels and processing;
- wherein the mule file is configured to be processed using standard non-secure tools;
- and
- the cryptographic information embedded in the comment field within the mule file is hidden when the standard tools are used to process the mule file.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.