Method for providing information security for wireless transmissions

Abstract

A wireless communication system includes a pager or similar device that communicates to a home terminal. The home terminal confirms the identify of the pager and attaches a certificate to the message for ongoing transmission. Where the recipient is also a pager, an associated home terminal verifies the transmission and forwards it in a trusted manner without the certificate to the recipient.

1 ) A method of communicating between a pair of correspondents through an intermediary comprising the steps, registering one of said correspondents with said intermediary to share an identifier, preparing at said one correspondent a secure communication including a message between said correspondents, 
 preparing a signature component including a derivation of said secure communication and said identifier forwarding said signature component to said intermediary and verifying said signature component at said intermediary,    attaching to said communication a certificate of the public key and identity of said one correspondent, and forwarding said communication and certificate to said other correspondent.    
   
   
       2 ) A method according to  claim 1  wherein said signature component includes a unique to each communication.  
   
   
       3 ) A method according to  claim 1  wherein said communication includes a message signed by said one correspondent.  
   
   
       4 ) A method according to  claim 3  wherein said secure communication includes ciphertext encrypted with a public key of the other of said correspondents.  
   
   
       5 ) A method according to  claim 1  wherein said intermediary recovers said identifier from said signature component and retrieves said certificate based on said identifier.  
   
   
       6 ) A method according to  claim 1  wherein aid intermediary forwards said communication and certificate to a recipient who utilizes said certificate to determine the public key of said one correspondent.  
   
   
       7 ) A method according to  claim 6  wherein recipient signs a message including said public key of said one correspondent and forwards said secure communication and said signed message to said other correspondent.  
   
   
       8 ) A method according to  claim 7  wherein said other correspondent retrieves said public key of said one correspondent from said signed message and extracts said message from said secure transmission.  
   
   
       9 ) A method according to  claim 1  wherein said registration includes transferring a public key of said intermediary to said one correspondent and transferring said public key of said one correspondent to said intermediary.  
   
   
       10 ) A method according to  claim 9  wherein said one correspondent includes a public key of a trusted party and said intermediary has a certificate of its public key signed by said trusted party, said one correspondent verifying said public key of said intermediary with said public key of said trusted party.  
   
   
       11 ) A method according to  claim 10  wherein said public key of said intermediary is used to sign its public key for secure transfer to said intermediary.  
   
   
       12 ) A method according to  claim 11  wherein said one correspondent forwards authorization information to said intermediary during registration and said intermediary verifies that said one correspondent is not prior registered with a certifying authority.  
   
   
       13 ) A method according to  claim 12  wherein said authorization information includes an address particular to said one correspondent for identification by said verifying authority.  
   
   
       14 ) A method according to  claim 11  wherein said identifier is transferred from said intermediary upon verification by said certifying authority.  
   
   
       15 ) A method according to  claim 14  wherein transfer of said identifier is secured by the public key of said one correspondent and said private key of said intermediary.