Although there are deployed technologies that allow senders and receivers to secure a complete data object or communication session, only W3C XML Signature (together with the new W3C XML Encryption Recommendation) permits users to selectively sign and encrypt portions of XML data. For example, a user of a Web services protocol such as SOAP may want to encrypt the payload part of the XML message but not the information necessary to route the payload to its recipient. Or, an XForms application might require that the payment authorization be digitally signed, and the actual payment method, such as a credit card number, be encrypted. And, of course, XML Encryption can be used to secure complete data objects as well such as such as an image or sound file.
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