Enum class CipherClass

Package: keychain.constants

Description

Cipher class.

Use cipher class to specify from which general symmetric encryption algorithm class a persona should choose a specific algorithm and parameters to use during encrypting the cleartext portion (producing ciphertext) and/or the asymmetric private key portion (producing a key lock) in hybrid encryption.

Since: v2.0

Enum Class Summary

Enum Constant Value Description

AES

1

Advanced Encryption Standard block cipher

CAMELIA

2

Camelia block cipher

Enum Class Detail

AES

Value: 1

Advanced Encryption Standard block cipher. AES is the most widely used symmetric encryption algorithm, standardized by NIST. It provides strong security with good performance characteristics and is supported by hardware acceleration on many platforms.

CAMELIA

Value: 2

Camelia block cipher. Camelia is a symmetric key block cipher developed by Mitsubishi Electric and NTT. It provides similar security properties to AES and is approved for use in several international standards.

Usage Example

from keychain.constants import CipherClass

# Select a cipher class
cipher_class = CipherClass.AES
print(f"Selected cipher class: {cipher_class}")  # Outputs: 1

# Cipher class selection based on requirements
def select_cipher_class(performance_priority=False, compliance_required=False):
    if compliance_required:
        # AES is widely standardized and required by many compliance frameworks
        return CipherClass.AES
    elif performance_priority:
        # AES typically has better hardware acceleration support
        return CipherClass.AES
    else:
        # Camelia provides an alternative with similar security properties
        return CipherClass.CAMELIA

selected_class = select_cipher_class(performance_priority=True)
print(f"Recommended class: {selected_class}")

# Check cipher characteristics
def get_cipher_characteristics(cipher_class):
    characteristics = {
        CipherClass.AES: "Widely standardized, hardware accelerated, NIST approved",
        CipherClass.CAMELIA: "Alternative to AES, similar security properties"
    }
    return characteristics.get(cipher_class, "Unknown")

characteristics = get_cipher_characteristics(cipher_class)
print(f"Cipher characteristics: {characteristics}")

# Check if cipher class supports specific operations
def supports_hybrid_encryption(cipher_class):
    # Both AES and Camelia support hybrid encryption
    return cipher_class in [CipherClass.AES, CipherClass.CAMELIA]

supports_hybrid = supports_hybrid_encryption(cipher_class)
print(f"Supports hybrid encryption: {supports_hybrid}")

See Also