Cryptographic key management apparatus and method

摘要

A method for establishing a secure communications link between first and second terminals includes a step of exchanging a first message. The first message contains information describing encryption devices and communications modes available within the terminals and user authentication information. The method also includes a step of selecting, in at least one terminal, a common key generation and ciphering algorithm. The method further includes steps of exchanging a second message for providing data to form traffic keys, exchanging a third message for synchronizing secure communications and initiating secure communication.