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.