PKCS11

PKCS #11 (PKCS11) is a standard defining an API for exchanging cryptographic tokens. It is part of the PKCS family of standards, along with PKCS7, PKCS10, and PKCS12. Smart card interfaces make use of this system, and it is also built into much software including the Firefox browser. The API is officially known as "Cryptoki", which comes from "cryptographic token interface" and is pronounced "Crytpto Key".

Specs

 * PKCS #11 Cryptographic Token Interface Current Mechanisms Specification Version 2.40
 * Historical PKCS#11 standards

Links

 * Wikipedia article
 * Java PKCS#11 Reference Guide
 * Introduction to PKCS#11 specifications
 * PKCS#11 URI scheme: draft specification
 * OASIS PKCS#11 Standards Committee