Enclaves comprises middleware for supporting applications requiring secure interaction over the Internet. Enclaves is a Java-based software package that allows convenient and rapid development of collaboration tools for enabling groups of users to share sensitive information over the Internet. It is a lightweight solution to the problem of instantiating virtual private networks in a flexible, timely manner without having to set up a predesignated server. It also provides a powerful programming API that is the basis for developing new secure, interactive software and it enables easy integration of secure group interaction capabilities into existing applications.

• Configure a group of users that communicate in a secure manner
• Define and implement policy(ies) for allowing users to join the group
• Configure network topology
• Assign leader node(s)
• Handle multiple message types
• Enable secure authentication of users requesting to join a group
• Provide scalability in a heterogeneous network
• Enable multiple levels of security, allowing tradeoff between security level(key length) and performance (encrypt/decrypt algorithm speed)

You may also have a look at slides describing the Enclaves project.

• Intrusion-Tolerant Group Management in Enclaves  (2001)
• An Overview of Enclaves 1.0  (1996)