Encapsulated security tokens for electronic transactions

A method for use in authenticating functional data presented in connection with a digital transaction, comprising the steps of:

• receiving first functional data for a proposed digital transaction from a first user;
• receiving an encapsulated security token from said first user, said encapsulated security token having been generated by encapsulating at least first digital data using at least first and second cryptographic systems including first and second digital signatures and first and second signature verifications respectively;
• de-encapsulating said encapsulated security token using at least said first and second signature verifications to obtain said first digital data;
• and
• using said first functional data and said first digital data to control said proposed digital transaction.

An apparatus for use in authenticating functional data presented in connection with a digital transaction, comprising:

• one or more processors operative for:
• 1) receiving first functional data for a proposed digital transaction from a first user;
• 2) receiving an encapsulated security token from said first user, said encapsulated security token having been generated by encapsulating at least first digital data using at least first and second cryptographic systems including first and second digital signatures and first and second signature verifications respectively;
• 3) de-encapsulating said encapsulated security token using at least said first and second signature verifications to obtain said first digital data;
• and
• 4) using said first functional data and said first digital data to control said proposed digital transaction.