Automated lightweight database access protocol secure/multipurpose internet mail extensions key server

A method for automatically collecting and distributing Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) key material needed for encrypted email exchange comprising:

• an email server for receiving S/MIME signed email messages from senders wishing to publish their key material;
• a program validating the signed email messages and extracting content and signature parts;
• the program dissecting signature part into constituent sender certificate, intermediate certificates, and content signature;
• storing the sender certificate in local database, indexed by sender email address, in form acceptable for Lightweight Database Access Protocol (LDAP) distribution;
• reassembling original signature constituents including content in form acceptable for LDAP distribution and storing result in local database indexed by sender email address;
• a LDAP server receiving requests for S/MIME key material from email clients;
• responding with key material for requested email address from local database if available;
• and forwarding requests for key material not contained in the local database to other instances through Domain Name System (DNS) lookup.