The invention combines cryptographic
key management technology with various
authentication options and the use of a companion PKI
system in a web-centric cryptographic
key management security method and apparatus called PXa3(TM) (Precise eXtensible
Authentication,
Authorization and Administration). The PXa3 model uses a security profile unique to a network user and the member domain(s) he / she belongs to. A PXa3
server holds all private keys and certificates, the user's security profile, including credentials and the optional
authentication enrollment data. The
server maintains a security profile for each user, and administrators simply transmitted credential updates and other
periodic maintenance updates to users via their PXa3
server-based member accounts. Domain and
workgroup administrators also perform administrative chores via a connection to the PXa3
web site, rather than on a local
workstation. A member's security profile, containing
algorithm access permissions, credentials, domain and maintenance values, a file header encrypting key, optional
biometric templates, and domain-specific policies is contained in one of two places: either on a removable cryptographic token (e.g., a
smart card), or on a central server-based profile maintained for each member and available as a downloadable "soft token" over any Internet connection.