Security system for data processing

Claim 1

A data processing security system comprising: a first general-purpose digital computer for processing data signals under the control of stored program signals, with information signals including said data signals and program signals being in plaintext, said first computer including a digital memory, a central processor, and an input and output means including means for requesting data and programs, and means for housing said first computer to be accessible to ordinary operating personnel; a second cryption computer for transferring plaintext information signals to and from said first computer in response to requests from said first computer, including means for encrypting and decrypting information signals to transform said information signals between plaintext and encrypted forms; means, including a storage for a key date base operationally usable during production by way of said cryption computer, for providing keys for operating said encrypting and decrypting means to transform said information signals between plaintext and encrypted forms; said encrypting and decrypting means, including means having controls for entry of other cryptographic keys for encrypting and decrypting the keys of said key data base a signal storage for encrypted information signals housed to be accessible to ordinary operating personnel; means for transferring information signals between said first computer and said signal storage, said transferring means including said cryption computer, first means for linking said first and second computers for plaintext intercommunication, and second means for linking said second computer and said signal storage for transferring encrypted information signals therebetween; and means, including a hard wall housing surrounding said cryption computer, for preventing access to the contents thereof under a high degree of security, and for maintaining said cryption computer closed to access by the ordinary operating personnel of said first computer; whereby a high security encryption process is maintained within said hard wall, and is inaccessible for tampering, and said first computer and signal storage operate respectively to process information signals in plaintext and store encrypted signals without special limitation on access thereto.