System for implementing business processes using key server events

A key server ( 320 ) based communication system ( 310 ) wherewith communicating parties, originators ( 312 ) and recipients ( 314 ), exchange encrypted communications ( 324 ). An originator requests or provides a key ( 330 ) to the key server, optionally with an assertion ( 322 ) from an authentication authority ( 318 ). Based on attributes ( 326 ) from the originator or elsewhere, the key server sets controlling events ( 340 ) for the communication. The originator encrypts and sends the communication to one or more recipients. A recipient may or may not request the key to decrypt the message. Positive events ( 342 ) are determined based on the controlling events and when and how many such requests occur. Negative events ( 344 ) are determined based on the absence of any requests or all requests being untimely.