A posting from Joseph Reagle (W3C XML Encryption Chair) announces the publication of 'last call' working draft specifications from the XML Encryption Working Group. The last call period for the three WDs is 3 weeks, ending on November 9, 2001. From the document abstracts: (1) XML Encryption Requirements lists the design principles, scope, and requirements for the XML Encryption. It includes requirements as they relate to the encryption syntax, data model, format, cryptographic processing, and external requirements and coordination. (2) XML Encryption Syntax and Processing specifies a process for encrypting data and representing the result in XML. The data may be arbitrary data (including an XML document), an XML element, or XML element content. The result of encrypting data is an XML Encryption element which contains or references the cipher data. (3) Decryption Transform for XML Signature specifies the 'decryption transform', which enables XML Signatures verification even if both signature and encryption operations are performed on an XML document."

The XML Encryption work has dependencies upon activity in the W3C XML Signature WG, W3C XML Schema WG, W3C XML Core WG, and W3C Internationalization IG. Activities judged orthogonal -- but likely to intersect in applications -- include XML Protocol, SAML, and XACML.

From the W3C XML Encryption Charter: "XML Encryption is a method whereby XML content can be transformed such that it is discernable only to the intended recipients, and opaque to all others. There are many applications for such a specification given the increasing importance of XML on the Internet and Web including the protection of payment and transaction information. The proposed work will obviously address how to encrypt an XML documents including elements."