1.2. Scope

1.2. Scope

In this document, we define an AEAD algorithm as an abstraction, by specifying an interface to an AEAD and defining an IANA registry for AEAD algorithms. We populate this registry with four AEAD algorithms based on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in Galois/Counter Mode [GCM] with 128- and 256-bit keys, and AES in Counter and CBC MAC Mode [CCM] with 128- and 256-bit keys.

In the following, we define the AEAD interface (Section 2), and then provide guidance on the use of AEAD algorithms (Section 3), and outline the requirements that each AEAD algorithm must meet (Section 4). Then we define several AEAD algorithms (Section 5), and establish an IANA registry for AEAD algorithms (Section 6). Lastly, we discuss some other considerations (Section 7).

The AEAD interface specification does not address security protocol issues such as anti-replay services or access control decisions that are made on authenticated data. Instead, the specification aims to abstract the cryptography away from those issues. The interface, and the guidance about how to use it, are consistent with the recommendations from [EEM04].