PKCScompliant

PKCS#11, also known as Cryptoki, is a standard for a cryptographic token interface, developed by RSA Laboratories. It defines a platform-independent API (Application Programming Interface) to devices that hold cryptographic information and perform cryptographic functions. PKCS#11 is widely used in various applications, including hardware security modules (HSMs), smart cards, and software cryptographic modules.

The standard is part of the Public-Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS) series, which are a set of standards developed by RSA Laboratories to support public-key cryptography. PKCS#11 is designed to provide a consistent interface for cryptographic operations, regardless of the underlying hardware or software implementation. This makes it easier for developers to integrate cryptographic functionality into their applications without worrying about the specifics of the cryptographic device.

PKCS#11 defines a set of functions for managing cryptographic objects, such as keys and certificates, as well as performing cryptographic operations, such as encryption, decryption, signing, and verification. The standard also includes mechanisms for managing sessions, logging, and error handling. PKCS#11 is supported by a wide range of cryptographic devices and software libraries, making it a versatile and widely adopted standard in the field of cryptography.

One of the key features of PKCS#11 is its support for multiple cryptographic algorithms and key sizes. This allows developers to use the same API to perform cryptographic operations with different algorithms and key sizes, depending on the requirements of their application. PKCS#11 also supports the use of hardware-based cryptographic operations, which can provide enhanced security and performance compared to software-based implementations.

PKCS#11 is maintained by the PKCS Working Group, which is part of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The standard is regularly updated to incorporate new cryptographic algorithms and features, as well as to address security vulnerabilities and interoperability issues. The latest version of PKCS#11 is version 2.40, which was published in June 2016.