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Common Security: CDSA and CSSM, Version 2
Copyright © 1999 The Open Group
Introduction
Signed Manifests
Signed manifests are used to describe the integrity of a list of
digital objects of any type and to associate arbitrary attributes with
those objects in a manner that is tightly binding and offers
non-repudiation. The integrity description does not change the object
being described, rather it exists outside of the object. This means an
object can exist in encrypted form and processes can inquire about the
integrity and authenticity of an object or its attributes without
decrypting the object.
Signed manifests are extensible. Attributes of arbitrary type can be
associated with any given digital object. This specification defines
the framework for a signed manifest with a minimal set of well known
name:value pairs that are common to all signed manifests. The set of
valid defined names for
name:value
pairs will increase over time.
Common Data Security Architecture
Signed manifests are essential to the integrity services provided by
the Common Security Services Manager (CSSM) within the Common Data
Security Architecture (CDSA). CDSA defines an open, extensible
architecture in which applications can selectively and dynamically
access security services.
The Common Data Security Architecture for All Platforms
shows the three basic layers of the CDSA:
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System Security Services
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The Common Security Services Manager (CSSM)
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Security Add-in Modules (cryptographic service providers, trust
policy modules, certificate library modules, and data storage
library modules)
CDSA is intended to be the multi platform security architecture that's
horizontally broad and vertically robust.
The CSSM is the core of CDSA. CSSM manages categories of security
services and multiple discrete implementations of those services as
add-in security modules. CSSM:
-
Defines the application programming interface for accessing security services
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Defines the service provider's interface for security service modules
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Dynamically extends the security services available to an application,
while maintaining an extended security perimeter for that application,
based on integrity services that use signed manifests
Applications request security services through the CSSM security API or
via layered security services and tools implemented over the CSSM API.
The requested security services are performed by add-in security
modules.
Over time, new categories of security services will be defined, and new
module managers will be required. CSSM supports elective module
managers that dynamically extend the system with new categories of
security services. Again CSSM manages the extended security perimeter
using signed manifests to ensure integrity and authenticity of the
dynamic extensions.
Figure: The Common Data Security Architecture for All Platforms
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