Abstract: The disclosed system relates to metered use cryptographic systems, and particularly to a data package and system operation for effecting metered purchases of encrypted data from a local encrypted database. A local CD ROM encrypted database includes one or more data package records containing one or more message keys encrypted under a database key, and one or more data packages encrypted under said message keys. The user decrypts portions of the database, and the data used is metered locally and recorded as a stored data usage record. The local stored data usage record is reported by telephone modem or other telecommunications link from a remote user terminal, such as a host personal computer containing a remote cryptographic control unit, to a cryptographic operations center.