A network entity comprising: a processing element capable of committing to a first data value by applying a hash function to a message including the first data value and a selected first random value to form a first check string, and transmitting the first check string to another network entity, wherein the processing element is capable of receiving a selected second random value from the other network entity; wherein the processing element is capable of opening the commitment to the first data value by transmitting the first random value to the other network entity such that the other network entity is capable of checking the committed first data value based upon the first check string and a second check string having been calculated based upon applying a hash function to another message including the first data value and the first random value, the other network entity being capable of applying a function to a message including the first and second data values and the first and second random values to form a third check string, wherein the processing element is capable of applying the same or a different function to a message including the first and second data values and the first and second random values to form a fourth check string, the fourth check string being formed without the other network entity committing to the second data value or opening the commitment to the second data value, wherein the processing element is capable of comparing or facilitating comparison of the third and fourth check strings to authenticate a data agreement with the other network entity; and wherein the processing element is capable of comparing or facilitating comparison of the third and fourth check strings when the other network entity successfully checks the committed first data value. a processing element capable of committing to a first data value by applying a hash function to a message including the first data value and a selected first random value to form a first check string, and transmitting the first check string to another network entity, wherein the processing element is capable of receiving a selected second random value from the other network entity; wherein the processing element is capable of opening the commitment to the first data value by transmitting the first random value to the other network entity such that the other network entity is capable of checking the committed first data value based upon the first check string and a second check string having been calculated based upon applying a hash function to another message including the first data value and the first random value, the other network entity being capable of applying a function to a message including the first and second data values and the first and second random values to form a third check string, wherein the processing element is capable of applying the same or a different function to a message including the first and second data values and the first and second random values to form a fourth check string, the fourth check string being formed without the other network entity committing to the second data value or opening the commitment to the second data value, wherein the processing element is capable of comparing or facilitating comparison of the third and fourth check strings to authenticate a data agreement with the other network entity; and wherein the processing element is capable of comparing or facilitating comparison of the third and fourth check strings when the other network entity successfully checks the committed first data value.