Secure automated document delivery

A model for secure delivery of documents is proposed, and a prototype system based on earlier work on secure electronic mail and automated document delivery systems is described. In the proposed architecture, security protection is provided for both document requests and the actual documents delivered. Electronic mail protocols are used for document requests and delivery, although file transfer protocols could be used in some circumstances. The document delivery system background is discussed, and the client-server model for the secure system is presented. The security philosophy, requirements, policy, and techniques are dealt with next. The criterion for validation is analyzed, the relationship to OSI (Open systems interconnection) is shown, implementation issues are discussed, and the direction of future efforts is pointed out.<>