Call for Participation: XML Encryption Workshop

http://www.w3.org/2000/09/XML-Encryption-Workshop.html

W3C XML-Encryption Workshop

Thursday, November 2, 2000
Lafayette/San Francisco, CA

Host : XCert
Chair:  Joseph Reagle <reagle@w3.org>


	Registration and rules for participation

Participants do not have to be W3C members. However,
everyone must REGISTER by October 23. Participants are
expect to be familiar with the reading below. Registration
is on a first-come-first-served basis and registration will
be limited to 35 participants. So make sure you use the
REGISTRATION FORM to ensure that you can attend.

         Workshop Goals and Scope

If XML is to become the language of trusted Web applications
(e.g., electronic commerce) it needs standard mechanisms for
digitally signing and encrypting XML entities (and it needs
them soon!). Furthermore, this mechanism must be fully
functional in environments where only XML tools are
available. While the joint IETF-W3C Working Group is
completing a XML Digital Signatures specification, its
charter expressly precludes work on encryption.
Consequently, this Workshop will focus on (1) the
requirements for XML encryption, (2) the proposals being
discussed on the public XML Encryption list as potential
starting points for a specification and (3) the structure of
a possible W3C activity to advance such a specification to
Recommendation.

         Relevant topics include:

	Scope of encryption: should the scope apply to
	elements only, or any Information Set Item? How
	should the scope of encryption be described/
	identified: should the data model be based on a
         simple ad-hoc representation or the complete
	Information Set? Should the data model be
	represented via URIs or an XML instance using RDF
	Schema or XSet?

         KeyInfo: Given that encryption keys might encrypt
	content or other keys, in what way must the
	Signature KeyInfo be extended to handle the common
	Encryption applications?

	Digital Signature "awareness" and syntax alignment:
	to what degree can XML-Encryption use use similar
	syntax and algorithm identifiers?

	Schema design: how will encryption portions of an
	XML instances affect that instances XML schema
	validity? Algorithm, modes, and formats: which
	algorithms and formats MUST be supported?

	Parser impact: will parser have to either
	post-process or be "callback equipped" to avoid
	re-parsing of an entire document after a portion has
	been decrypted? What rat holes can be identified
	as out of scope?

         Related topics that are not part of XML Encryption
	(though they may provide requirements as an
	application) are:

              XML Access Control Policies: specifying
	     policies and mechanisms beside encryption that
	     control access to XML content.
              Trust Mechanisms: specifying how much a key is
	     trusted in a given application context.

         Expected audience

We expect several groups will be interested in the workshop:
	
	Experts in XML and data-models, who understand the
	affect and requirements related to parsing/validity
	and how to best represent the relation between the
	plain text and encrypted content within a single
	instance.

	Experts in Encryption, who wish to ensure XML
	Encryption applications are properly secured and
	which KeyInfo structures are critical to dependent
	applications.
	
	Experts in Message Protocols, who understand the
	requirements messaging protocols may have with
	respect to encrypting a conversation/interaction as
	part of the protocol.

         Draft Agenda

A preliminary draft agenda is available.

         Position Papers

Position papers are not required. However, attendees must be
informed with respect to the reading below. If you would
like to give a presentation on related issues or proposals,
please contact the Chair.

         Workshop organization

The workshop will last for a single day. The structure of
the workshop will be focussed on addressing the issues and
leaving with specific approaches towards the technology and
its standardization.

         Meeting Location Details

The meeting will be taking place at the Lafayette Park
Hotel, a ~40 minute drive from San Francisco. Methods for
getting from San Francisco to Lafayette include rent-a-car,
door-to-door van service, taxi, and public transport.
Driving directions from San Francisco and Oakland Airports,
as well as from SanJose are available. The Workshop will
take place at:

              George Washington Meeting Room
              Lafayette Park Hotel
              3287 Mount Diablo Boulevard
              Lafayette, CA 94549
              925-283-3700

         Hotel Details

A set of rooms have been reserved at the Lafayette Park
Hotel at a reduced fee. While the registration page asks if
you require a room, this is only for planning purposes. You
must make your own room reservation by October 23 and state
that you wish to have the XCert rate.

         Further Reading

The XML Encryption Discussion List
   Another proposal of XML Encryption, Takeshi Imamura
     (Mon, Aug 14 2000)
   XML Encryption strawman proposal Ed Simon
     (Wed, Aug 09 2000)
   XML-Signature Syntax and Processing
   Canonical XML

__
Joseph Reagle Jr.
W3C Policy Analyst                mailto:reagle@w3.org
IETF/W3C XML-Signature Co-Chair   http://www.w3.org/People/Reagle/

Received on Thursday, 21 September 2000 10:04:07 UTC