Abstract: In many secure communication systems, group keys are updated on a regular basis in order to maintain high security level. Decryption and encryption keys are typically updated simultaneously in policy enforcement points (PEPs). Such approach makes the respective communication system prone to dropping of network traffic. According to at least one embodiment, re-keying is performed by installing, at a first phase, a new decryption key at the PEPs without removing an old decryption key previously installed in the PEPs. At a second phase, a new encryption corresponding to the new decryption key is installed and an old encryption key corresponding to the old decryption is removed. At a third stage, the old decryption key and any other old decryption keys are removed from the PEPs.

Abstract: An apparatus to conform with an object including a device for heating. The heating device is conformable. The apparatus is also formed of an element within which the heating device is in contact such that when the heating device is activated to produce heat, the element becomes conformable and when the heating device is deactivated, the element becomes rigid. In a preferred embodiment, the heating device is a heating wire which is embedded in the element and there is a housing which contains a conformable support structure in contact with the element which provides a shape to which the element can harden into after the heating device has melted the element.