RFC 3628 (rfc3628) - Page 1 of 43


Policy Requirements for Time-Stamping Authorities (TSAs)



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                                          D. Pinkas
Request for Comments: 3628                                          Bull
Category: Informational                                          N. Pope
                                                                 J. Ross
                                                    Security & Standards
                                                           November 2003


        Policy Requirements for Time-Stamping Authorities (TSAs)

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   This document defines requirements for a baseline time-stamp policy
   for Time-Stamping Authorities (TSAs) issuing time-stamp tokens,
   supported by public key certificates, with an accuracy of one second
   or better.  A TSA may define its own policy which enhances the policy
   defined in this document.  Such a policy shall incorporate or further
   constrain the requirements identified in this document.

Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
   2.  Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
   3.  Definitions and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
       3.1. Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
       3.2. Abbreviations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
   4.  General Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       4.1. Time-Stamping Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       4.2. Time-Stamping Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       4.3. Subscriber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       4.4. Time-Stamp Policy and TSA Practice Statement . . . . . .  8
            4.4.1.  Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
            4.4.2.  Level of Specificity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
            4.4.3.  Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
   5.  Time-Stamp Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
       5.1. Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
       5.2. Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
       5.3. User Community and Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . 10



Pinkas, et al.               Informational