A system is provided that uses identity-based encryption to support secure communications. Messages from a sender to a receiver may be encrypted using the receiver's identity and public parameters that have been generated by a private key generator associated with the receiver. The private key generator associated with the receiver generates a private key for the receiver. The encrypted message may be decrypted by the receiver using the receiver's private key. The system may have multiple private key generators, each with a separate set of public parameters. Directory services may be used to provide a sender that is associated with one private key generator with appropriate public parameters to use when encrypting messages for a receiver that is associated with a different private key generator. A certification authority may be used to sign directory entries for the directory service. A clearinghouse may be used to avoid duplicative directory entries.