Overview #

The PKCS #7 standard describes general syntax for data that may have cryptography applied to it, such as digital Signatures and digital envelopes.

PKCS #7 is compatible with Privacy-Enhanced Mail (PEM) in that signed-data and signed-and-enveloped-data content, constructed in a Privacy-Enhanced Mail-compatible mode, can be converted into Privacy-Enhanced Mail messages without any cryptographic operations. Privacy-Enhanced Mail messages can similarly be converted into the signed-data and signed-and-enveloped data content types.

PKCS #7 is defined within RFC 2315.

The PKCS#7 format enables the transfer of a certificate and all the certificates in its certification path from one computer to another, or from a computer to removable media.

PKCS7 Certificate Format Characteristics:

• contains certificate OR Certificate Chain (but does not store the Private Key)
• Often used provide Certificate Chain to Clients

More Information #

There might be more information for this subject on one of the following:

• Certificate
• Certificate Formats
• Cryptographic Message Syntax
• Distinguished Names
• Hybrid cryptosystem
• Netscape Certificate Sequence
• PKCS 9
• PKCS7
• Padded
• Public-Key Cryptography Standards
• RFC 2315