Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Public-Key Cryptography Standards
     
         (PKCS) A set of {standards} for
        {public-key cryptography}, developed by {RSA Data Security,
        Inc.} in cooperation with an informal consortium, originally
        including {Apple}, {Microsoft}, {DEC}, {Lotus}, {Sun} and
        {MIT}.  The PKCS have been cited by the {OSI Implementers'
        Workshop} (OIW) as a method for implementation of {OSI}
        standards.
     
        PKCS includes both {algorithm}-specific and
        algorithm-independent implementation standards.  Many
        algorithms are supported, including {RSA} and {Diffie-Hellman}
        key exchange, however, only the latter two are specifically
        detailed.  PKCS also defines an algorithm-independent {syntax}
        for {digital signatures}, {digital envelopes}, and extended
        {digital certificates}; this enables someone implementing any
        cryptographic algorithm whatsoever to conform to a standard
        syntax, and thus achieve interoperability.
     
        E-mail: [email protected].
     
        (1999-02-16)