Techniques for providing security context and firewalls in computing
environments are disclosed. The security context includes cryptographic
operations that can further enhance security. A security context block
that includes a security context identification (ID) and a cryptographic
system is disclosed. The security context identification (ID) can be
provided for and assigned to various components of the computing system
as means for security identification. Using the cryptographic system,
various cryptographic operations can be performed on the security context
identification (ID) to further enhance security. For example, security
identifiers can be authenticated before it is presented to a firewall.
After, successful authentication, the firewall can be used to determine
whether the security identifier identifies an associate with access
privileges.