XML Encryption Syntax and Processing

This document specifies a process for encrypting data and representing the result in XML. The data may be arbitrary data (including an XML document), an XML element, or XML element content. The result of encrypting data is an XML Encryption element which contains or references the cipher data.This document is the W3C XML Encryption Recommendation (REC). This document has been reviewed by W3C Members and other interested parties and has been endorsed by the Director as a W3C Recommendation. It is a stable document and may be used as reference material or cited as a normative reference from another document. W3C’s role in making the Recommendation is to draw attention to the specification and to promote its widespread deployment. This enhances the functionality and interoperability of the Web.

This specification was produced by the W3C XML Encryption Working Group (Activity) which believes the specification is sufficient for the creation of independent interoperable implementations as demonstrated in the Interoperability Report.

Patent disclosures relevant to this specification may be found on the Working Group’s patent disclosure page in conformance with W3C policy.

This document specifies a process for encrypting data and representing the result in XML. The data may be arbitrary data (including an XML document), an XML element, or XML element content. The result of encrypting data is an XML Encryption EncryptedData element which contains (via one of its children’s content) or identifies (via a URI reference) the cipher data.

When encrypting an XML element or element content the EncryptedData element replaces the element or content (respectively) in the encrypted version of the XML document.

When encrypting arbitrary data (including entire XML documents), the EncryptedData element may become the root of a new XML document or become a child element in an application-chosen XML document.

Continue to read the full document on: http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlenc-core/