LONG-TERM DIGITAL OBJECTS: TRUSTWORTHY EVEN AFTER EVERY WITNESS IS DEAD

Gladney, H.M. (2003) LONG-TERM DIGITAL OBJECTS: TRUSTWORTHY EVEN AFTER EVERY WITNESS IS DEAD.

Abstract

In ancient times, wax seals impressed with signet rings were affixed to documents as evidence of their authenticity. A digital counterpart is a message authentication code fixed firmly to each important document. We sketch an architecture that accomplishes this by using encapsulation of content with provenance metadata, cryptographic sealing, and webs of trust rooted in respected institutions.

A prototype will integrate software that is mostly available, will conform to many standards, and will be interoperable over most computing bases. It will avoid administrative overhead inherent in other methods.

This synopsis condenses a more detailed manuscript (deposited as #00000008) by omitting details that would obscure the main design features.

Commentary/Response Threads

• Gladney, H.M. Trustworthy 100-Year Digital Objects: Evidence Even After Every Witness is Dead. (deposited 26 August 2003)
  • Gladney, H.M. LONG-TERM DIGITAL OBJECTS: TRUSTWORTHY EVEN AFTER EVERY WITNESS IS DEAD. (deposited 26 November 2003) [Currently Displayed]