Secure web services through Xml signatures

Aug 30
05:33

2013

John Orton

John Orton

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Web services provide a common interface to all users for communication over the World Wide Web. There is a strong need to secure our applications and websites on the internet because it is the fastest medium of sharing data and information.

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Web service was not considered reliable until the invention of web service security because they are open to threats and vulnerabilities. But after the fast development in information technology world,Secure web services through Xml signatures Articles people are investing their resources to web services especially people who belongs to business and corporate industry.

What is web service?

Web service is a method which is used to exchange data or information between applications or electronic devices. They used Xml based messaging system and set of open protocols. Software applications that use web services can exchange data or information over the World Wide Web. These web services can be used by other softwares and applications also.

Why there is a need to secure web service?

We need to secure web service because they are exposed to threats like cheating and spooning over the internet. The web users rely on the most trusted web sites. They only wish to read their related information on the most authenticated web sites. Many businesses are also done by using web services which is called e-business. There is a great need to secure web services so that our viewers rely only on us.

What is Xml signature and Web service security?

In this fast technology world, we have access to many technology solutions for securing web service. Web service security is one of them which use Xml signatures to secure web services. Basically, this signature is a digital signature in form of Xml syntax. We can bind our data or information legally over the World Wide Web by using these signatures.

Why xml signatures are considered appropriate option for securing web services?

These signatures help to retain the Xml data files and also the structure of these data files. Thus these signatures make it easy to implement security to web services. They are used to validate and authenticate data files or documents and also ensure their integrity and non-repudiation.

These signatures have also some unique properties. Not only they can sign Xml data files or documents but also they can sign any other type of data file or document. There is also no restriction to sign the complete data file or document. You are able to sign any specific portion of your data file or document.

These signatures are time stamp which means they records the time of each signature when it signs any data file or document. These signatures can be validated any time in future. Thus they eradicate the chance of future disputes between people.

One must need to adopt practices to secure their data or documents over the internet. So for securing web services Xml signatures provide the best solution for it. It also helps to resolve disputes between parties and to eradicate fraud and deception cases.