System and method that uses cryptographic certificates to define groups of entities

A method for processing a digital cryptographic certificate, the method comprising:

• receiving the cryptographic certificate, said cryptographic certificate describing:
• at least one first prerequisite condition comprising membership in at least one first prerequisite group of entities;
• at least one first prerequisite to-the-group stakeholder which permits membership in the at least one first prerequisite group of entities;
• at least one second prerequisite condition comprising membership in at least one second prerequisite group of entities;
• and
• at least one second prerequisite to-the-group stakeholder which permits membership in the at least one second prerequisite group of entities;
• and
• determining, using one or more hardware computing elements:
• whether the cryptographic certificate is validly digitally signed by at least one first prerequisite from-the-group stakeholder which approves use of membership in the first prerequisite group permitted by the at least one first prerequisite to-the-group stakeholder in making a decision;
• and
• whether the cryptographic certificate is validly digitally signed by at least one first prerequisite from-the-group stakeholder which approves use of membership in the second prerequisite group permitted by the at least one second prerequisite to-the-group stakeholder in making a decision;
• wherein valid digital signatures of the certificate by the at least one first prerequisite from-the-group stakeholder authorize the use of membership as a condition for making the decision.

A digital cryptographic certificate stored on one or more tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage media, comprising:

• names of one or more of first prerequisite groups;
• one or more first prerequisite to-the-group stakeholders which permit membership in the one or more first prerequisite groups;
• and
• names of one or more of second prerequisite groups;
• one or more second prerequisite to-the-group stakeholders which permit membership in the one or more second prerequisite groups;
• and
• one or more digital cryptographic signatures of:
• one or more first prerequisite from-the-group stakeholders which approve use of membership in the first prerequisite group permitted by the one or more first prerequisite to-the-group stakeholders for making a decision;
• and
• one or more first prerequisite from-the-group stakeholders which approve use of membership in the second prerequisite group permitted by the one or more second prerequisite to-the-group stakeholders for making a decision;
• wherein the one or more digital cryptographic signatures authorize the use of membership in the one or more first prerequisite groups as a condition for making the decision.