Abstract: An international cryptography framework (ICF) is provided that allows manufacturers to comply with varying national laws governing the distribution of cryptographic capabilities. In particular, such a framework makes it possible to ship worldwide cryptographic capabilities in all types of information processing devices (e.g. printers, palm-tops). The ICF comprises a set of service elements which allow applications to exercise cryptographic functions under the control of a policy. The four core elements of the ICF architecture, i.e. the host system, cryptographic unit, policy activation token, and network security server, comprise an infrastructure that provides cryptographic services to applications. Applications that request cryptographic services from various service elements within the ICF are identified through a certificate to protect against misuse of a granted level of cryptography.