Abstract:
The present invention provides a machine-implementable method for generating a random number across participating network devices within a network. The random number has a specific property in accordance with a testing computation. The generated random number is usable in cryptographic systems. The method comprises the steps of generating an initial share value; performing a testing computation on a candidate value, thereby providing testing backup-share values, the testing computation being related to the specific property and the candidate value being related to the initial share value; in response to the result of the testing computation, providing check values and performing a verification of the correctness of the testing computation by using the provided check values, the initial share value, and the provided testing backup-share values; and in response to the verification, providing a commitment value that being derivable from the initial share value and confirming the validity of the initial share value to the other participating network devices by using the commitment value, the confirmed initial share value forming part of the random number.