The invention is to provide a group lock which is used in group units for encryption,
decryption, and signature. A public key, private key, and common key are provided
and the private key is encrypted by use of the common key. The common key is encrypted
by use of each public key of the group/member. A group lock which includes the
public key, a cryptogram of the private key, and a plurality of cryptograms of
the common key is generated. The group/member acquires the group lock and decrypts
the cryptograms of the common key by use of the private key of the subject itself
to acquire the common key, and decrypts the cryptogram of the private key of the
group lock to acquire the private key. The group/member acquires the cryptogram
which is encrypted by use of the public key of the group lock sent to the group
and decrypts the cryptogram by use of the decrypted private key.