Information certificate format converter apparatus and method

A certificate issuing apparatus comprising:

• a certificate converting unit operatively coupled to receive first certificate data in a first format, and desired certificate format criteria data;
• and
• memory operatively accessible by the certificate converting unit, containing certificate format template data and certificate data mapping information,
• wherein the certificate converting unit generates second certificate data in a second format in response to at least the first certificate data, the certificate format template data and the certificate mapping information;
• a certificate formatter operatively responsive to the desired certificate format criteria data and operative to convert the first certificate data into second certificate data wherein the second certificate data includes at least one of a different data structure and a different syntax for at least some data in the first certificate;
• and
• a certificate generator, operatively coupled to the certificate formatter, including a digital signature format selector operative to select among a plurality of signature formats to facilitate certificate conversion between the first certificate data and the second certificate data.