z/OS Cryptographic Services Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility Writing PKCS #11 Applications

ICSF is a software element of z/OS that works with the hardware cryptographic feature and the Security Server (RACF) to provide secure, high-speed cryptographic services. ICSF provides the application programming interfaces by which applications request the cryptographic services.

PKCS #11 is an industry-accepted standard provided by RSA Laboratories of RSA Security Inc. It specifies an application programming interface (API) to devices, referred to as tokens, that hold cryptographic information and perform cryptographic functions. PKCS #11 provides an alternative to IBM's Common Cryptographic Architecture (CCA).