Signing key log management

Abstract

Cryptographic keys can include logging properties that enable those keys to be used only if the properties can be enforced by the cryptographic system requested to perform one or more actions using the keys. The logging property can specify how to log use of a respective key. A key can also include a mutability property for specifying whether the logging property can be changed, and if so under what circumstances or in which way(s). The ability to specify and automatically enforce logging can be important for environments where audit logs are essential. These can include, for example, public certificate authorities that must provide accurate and complete audit trails. In cases where the data is not to be provided outside a determined secure environment, the key can be generated with a property indicating not to log any of the usage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.