A communication-computation efficient group key algorithm for large and dynamic groups

The management of secure communication among groups of participants requires a set of secure and efficient operations. In this paper we extend existing work to present a Communication–Computation Efficient Group Key Algorithm (CCEGK) designed to provide both efficient communication and computation, addressing performance, security and authentication issues of CCEGK. Additionally, we compare CCEGK with three other leading group key algorithms, EGK, TGDH, and STR. An analytical comparison of all algorithms revealed eight similar methods: add, remove, merge, split, mass add, mass remove, initialize, and key refresh. Comparing the cost in terms of communication and computation, we found CCEGK to be more efficient across the board. 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.