A system and method that enables sharing of resources and materials on a worldwide basis is disclosed. This system and method creates a secure extranet, with member sites communicating through a shared mediator service. The extranet protects private information at each site, yet allows searching and sharing of resources by authorized users of any extranet site. A preferred embodiment is an extranet of Lotus Notes/Domino servers, where information can be shared via the extranet without requiring cross-certification or replication among the servers.