A communications network is provided for securing communications and updating user identity information. A symmetric crypto-key, an asymmetric crypto-key having first and second private key portions and a public key portion, and a certificate are utilized. A first network station, representing any network entity, transmits a user authentication request. A second network station, representing the user, forwards, either jointly or separately, the request and user identity information to a third network station. The third network station, representing a sponsor, matches the transmitted identity information with stored identity information, modifies the stored identity information to correspond to the received identity information, generates a certificate including the modified identity information, and transmits the certificate and the request. The second station further transmits the certificate to the first station. The stations encrypt and decrypt messages utilizing different ones of the symmetric crypto-key and the portions of the asymmetric crypto-key to secure communications.