Methods and systems are provided for distributing key information by
securely transmitting light information in a network along a path
comprised of a plurality of network devices and by using a key
distribution center (KDC) connected with the network. Three or more user
devices connected with the network are specified as constituting a secure
communication group. Each user device sets up an end-to-end path to the
KDC by configuring at least one of the network devices to direct light
information along the path. Thereafter, a user key is established between
each user device and the KDC, by sending light information using randomly
selected quantum bases through the path. The KDC determines a shared
secret key, and notifies each user device of the shared secret key by
sending the result of a calculation based on the shared secret key and
each user key through the network.