The Enterprise Library Cryptography Application Block simplifies how developers incorporate cryptographic functionality in their applications. Applications can use the application block for a variety of tasks, such as encrypting information, creating a hash from data, and comparing hash values to verify that data has not been altered.

The Cryptography Application Block has the following features:

• It reduces the requirement to write boilerplate code to perform standard tasks; it does this by providing implementations that you can use to solve common application cryptography problems.
• It helps maintain consistent cryptography practices, both within an application and across the enterprise.
• It eases the learning curve for developers by using a consistent architectural model across the various areas of functionality that are provided.
• It provides implementations that you can use to solve common application cryptography problems.
• It is extensible; this means it supports custom implementations of cryptography providers.

This section includes the following topics:

• Introduction to the Cryptography Application Block
• Developing Applications Using the Cryptography Application Block
• Key Scenarios
• Design of the Cryptography Application Block
• Extending and Modifying the Cryptography Application Block
• Deployment and Operations
• Cryptography QuickStart

More Information

For more information, see the following resources:

• Improving Web Application Security: Threats and Countermeasures
• How To: Use Authorization Manager (AzMan) with ASP.NET 2.0
• patterns & practices Security How Tos Index