A method and systems provided for basis conversion in a cryptographic system. The method comprises the steps of a first correspondent transmitting an element represented in the first basis to an intermediate processor, the intermediate processor converting the element into a second basis representation and forwarding the converted element to the first correspondent who then uses the converted element in a cryptographic operation. A further embodiment of the invention provides for the intermediate processor to perform the basis conversion on a field element and then forward the converted element to a second correspondent. A still further embodiment of the invention provides for the correspondents in a cryptographic scheme making use of a bit string as a function of a sequence of traces of a field element, wherein the bit string is a shared secret for performing certain cryptographic operations. ##STR00001##