public-key cryptography standards

Public-Key Cryptography Standards

   <cryptography, standard> (PKCS) A set of {standards} for
   {public-key cryptography}, developed by {RSA Data Security,
   Inc.} in cooperation with an informal consortium, originally
   including {Apple}, {Microsoft}, {DEC}, {Lotus}, {Sun} and
   {MIT}.  The PKCS have been cited by the {OSI Implementers'
   Workshop} (OIW) as a method for implementation of {OSI}
   standards.

   PKCS includes both {algorithm}-specific and
   algorithm-independent implementation standards.  Many
   algorithms are supported, including {RSA} and {Diffie-Hellman}
   key exchange, however, only the latter two are specifically
   detailed.  PKCS also defines an algorithm-independent {syntax}
   for {digital signatures}, {digital envelopes}, and extended
   {digital certificates}; this enables someone implementing any
   cryptographic algorithm whatsoever to conform to a standard
   syntax, and thus achieve interoperability.

   E-mail: [email protected].

   (1999-02-16)