Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure group communication detects the deletion of a member of the group and uses the detected deletion to update the security credentials of a group by updating a repository containing credentials of members of a group. Alternatively, updating of the security credentials may be performed by sending a group credential deletion request for a member that has been deleted from the group so that the member deletes a stored copy of the group security credential.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure group communication allows on-demand procurement of stored security credentials of a group. In one embodiment, this is done by having a processor store at least a portion of the security credentials of the group in a location accessible from more than one member of the group, such as in an encrypted form in a public directory. Security credentials include at least a cryptographic key use to secure information. Each member may have a dedicated entry containing a group security credential associated with that member. The information may also be stored in a variety of other ways including, for example, storing a composite set of encrypted group security credentials. A member accesses the stored group security credentials on an on-demand basis.