The note also defines the location and objective of eight interfaces that are critical to defining inter-operability between the components.
Most modern applications depend on cryptography for protection of data in transit or storage.
In order to minimise the administrative, cost and support overheads of multiple cryptographic implementations, a Public Key Infrastructure is typically used to provide the cryptography. Early infrastructures have tended to be from a single vendor. However, it is now becoming clear that, if Public Key Infrastructures are to meet their full potential, products from a range of suppliers will need to inter-operate to meet the needs of users. This technical note identifies the principle interfaces that need to be considered for such products to inter-operate. The following diagram provides a model for considering the interfaces.