Importance

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Abstract

The illustrative embodiment of the present discloses a method of providing a secure environment during the use of electronic documents and data. Authenticated users are able to access, act upon and sign, via a secure connection, a workflow object that is stored on a remote server. The workflow object includes a sequence of action items, the steps in a workflow, and includes documents or references to documents required by the workflow. Also included in the workflow object is an Access Control List ( ACL ) which specifies which users can access which documents at which times. Each document has its own ACL which allows the access of each document to be specified independently from other documents at a given time. The documents may be encrypted and decrypted using a variety of methods designed to enhance security, including the use of digital signatures. Once a document is decrypted ( if encrypted), the user performs a task specified in the workflow using the decrypted document. The workflow is updated to reflect completed tasks, the document may be electronically signed, and the altered document is then re-encrypted.

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First Claim