Cryptographic Services APIs

The i5/OS^(TM) Cryptographic Services APIs help you ensure the following:

• Privacy of data
• Integrity of data
• Authentication of communicating parties
• Non-repudiation of messages

For general information about cryptography, refer to Cryptography Concepts in the Security topic.

The Cryptographic Services APIs perform cryptographic functions within the i5/OS^(TM) or on the 2058 Cryptographic Accelerator for iSeries, as specified by the user. For more information about hardware cryptography, refer to Cryptographic Hardware in the Security topic. For a comparison of function performed in the i5/OS and on the 2058, refer to i5/OS and 2058 Function Comparison.

The Cryptographic Services APIs include:

• Encryption and Decryption APIs
• Authentication APIs
• Key Generation APIs
• Key Management APIs
• Pseudorandom Number Generation APIs
• Cryptographic Context APIs

Scenario: Key Management and File Encryption Using the Cryptographic Services APIs provides some sample designs and example programs.

In the release following V5R4, Licensed Product 5722-CR1 will no longer be supported. Migrating from 57xx-CR1 provides information on migrating your CR1 applications to the cryptographic services APIs.