AES for Java Card

AES for Java Card 2.2.x

With the acceptance of Rijndael's algorithm for higher strength symmetric key cryptography, AES was introduced in Java Card 2.2.x as an addition to the open specifications that has fairly extensive API for cryptography. The AES API was introduced in line with existing and widely used SPI for DES. This API is now widely used in various identity management applications. The author was instrumental in designing and finalizing it, and getting it through for its introduction in Java Card 2.2.x

AES was needed for different purposes, however the first application to adapt the technology was the upcoming (now prevalent) 3G networks. It was desired that to be used for different purpose to maintain the privacy on the wireless network. The API is explained better here in this presentation. The observation was that the AES standard implementation turned out to be more efficient than that of DES. At the specified block size AES was also observed to be more efficient on smartcards than DES.
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