Re: [woes] Support multiple Crypto algorithms? was RE: Proposed charter, post-Quebec edition

Phillip Hallam-Baker <hallam@gmail.com> Tue, 09 August 2011 02:33 UTC

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Date: Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:34:13 +0100
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From: Phillip Hallam-Baker <hallam@gmail.com>
To: Joe Hildebrand <joe.hildebrand@webex.com>
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Subject: Re: [woes] Support multiple Crypto algorithms? was RE: Proposed charter, post-Quebec edition
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On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 8:48 PM, Joe Hildebrand <joe.hildebrand@webex.com>wrote:

> Agree. Algorithm agility is a must, but large numbers of supported
> algorithms out of the gate are not. Having a small set of algorithms
> widely-implemented will increase interoperability drastically, particularly
> considering that in some of the target operating environments, we'll need
> to
> wait for people with adequate cryptographic skills to help.
>
> I do really like the idea of splitting the MTI specification into a small
> separate draft, so that it can be rev'd easily as needed.


+1

And that way we can have two profiles (or more) to address different
implementation situations.

Web Services implementation constraints are frequently asymmetric. There is
one portion built on some all-singing/dancing platform like .NET or whatever
and that talks to a thin client embedded in Jscript or a mobile device or
what-have-you.

If we can avoid creating yet another crypto-registry (i.e. re-use the PEM or
whatever algorithm registry) then all the spec needs to say is that X is the
slot where the algorithm name goes and the MTI doc(s) specify how to get
interoperability.

-- 
Website: http://hallambaker.com/