SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING A PERSISTENT DIRECTORY SIGNATURE FILE

A processor-based method for creating a persistent directory signature file, comprising: selecting a private key, a certificate identifier and a hash algorithm identifier for the directory signature file; concatenating one or more persistent, independent signatures wherein a persistent independent signature includes a file name, sub-directory indicator, or meta-data indicator, and a certificate identifier, and a hash identifier, and an encrypted hash; creating an encrypted hash of the one or more concatenated signatures using the hash algorithm and private key chosen for the directory signature file; and concatenating the encrypted hash of the one or more concatenated signatures with the concatenated signatures and the certificate identifier, and hash algorithm identifier chosen for the directory signature file to create a persistent, independent signature for the directory signature file. A persistent directory signature file includes a directory signature file certificate identifier; a directory signature file hash identifier; a file name; a file certificate identifier; a file hash identifier; a file hash value encrypted; and a directory signature file hash value encrypted.