The xml encryption specification
The xml encryption recomendation was produced by the W3C's XML Encryption Working
Group. The most important aspects of the recomendations are the XML Encryption
Requirements, the XML
Encryption Syntax and Processing and Decryption Transform for
XML Signature. The purpose of the XML Encryption Working Group was
to develop a process for encrypting/decrypting digital content
(including XML documents and portions thereof) and an XML syntax used
to represent
the (1) encrypted content and (2) information that enables an
intended recipient to decrypt it.
Java, JCE and JCA
This implementation of the xml encryption library was written in Java.
It makes use of the Java
Cryptographic Extention. It would be highly adviable to familiarise
yourself with cryptographic concepts and its implementation in Java.
Recomended reading
Cryptography:
The ancient art of secret messages an article outlining the JCA
framework.
Cryptography
examples at the Java Developers Almanac.
Java Cryptography
by Jonathan Knudsen.