Method and apparatus for secure key management using multi-threshold secret sharing

A system for sharing a secret key, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer-readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to implement said computer-readable code, said computer-readable code configured to:
• distribute a plurality of components of said secret key to a plurality of users, each of said components having an assigned weight;
• and
• provide said secret key if said assigned weights associated with said plurality of components satisfies a predefined condition.

An article of manufacture for sharing a secret key, comprising:

• a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising:
• a step to distribute a plurality of components of said secret key to a plurality of users, each of said components having an assigned weight;
• and
• a step to provide said secret key if said assigned weights associated with said plurality of components satisfies a predefined condition.

A system for sharing a secret key, comprising:

• a memory that stores computer-readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to implement said computer-readable code, said computer-readable code configured to:
• distribute a plurality of components of said secret key and one super component of said secret key to a plurality of users;
• and
• provide said secret key if at least one of said plurality of components of said secret key and said super component are received.

An article of manufacture for sharing a secret key, comprising:

• a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising:
• a step to distribute a plurality of components of said secret key and one super component of said secret key to a plurality of users;
• and
• a step to provide said secret key if at least one of said plurality of components of said secret key and said super component are received.