📚 Security Knowledge Base

Master the concepts behind the tools.

In-depth guides on cryptography, payment security, and HSM management.
All Guides (43)Key Management (8)Payment Security (15)Encryption (10)PKI & Certificates (5)General (5)

Featured Guides

Encryption

AES Test Vectors: Browser and Library Validation Lab

Reproduce NIST AES-128, AES-192, AES-256, ECB, and CBC known-answer vectors in CryptoJS, Web Crypto, and the HSM Kit browser tool.
10 min read
Encryption

AES-GCM vs AES-CBC: Which Mode Should You Use?

Compare AES-GCM and AES-CBC security, authentication, IV requirements, performance, and compatibility to choose the right encryption mode.
9 min read

Key Management

Key Management
Futurex HSM Key Management: MFK Variants & Key Schemes
May 21 · 8 min
Key Management
Atalla AKB Key Block Format: Header, Encryption & Validation
May 21 · 8 min
Key Management
SafeNet Key Management: Luna HSM & KM Key Variants
May 21 · 7 min
Key Management
Thales LMK Key Encryption: Schemes, Variants & Key Types
May 21 · 9 min

Payment Security

Payment Security
ISO 8583 Message Parser: MTI, Bitmap & Data Elements
May 21 · 9 min
Payment Security
AS2805: Australian Payment Standard for Terminal Keys & MAC
May 21 · 10 min
Payment Security
AMEX CSC: Card Security Code Calculation (CSC3/CSC4/CSC5)
May 21 · 7 min
Payment Security
Mastercard Dynamic CVC3: EMV Verification & ATC
May 21 · 7 min

Encryption

Encryption
AES Test Vectors: Browser and Library Validation Lab
Sep 23 · 10 min
Encryption
AES-GCM vs AES-CBC: Which Mode Should You Use?
Sep 22 · 9 min
Encryption
AES IV and Nonce Reuse: Risks & Prevention
Sep 22 · 9 min
Encryption
PKCS#7 Padding for AES: How It Works
Sep 22 · 8 min

PKI & Certificates

PKI & Certificates
RSA DER Public Key: Format, Structure & Decoding
May 21 · 8 min
PKI & Certificates
SSL/TLS Certificates: X.509 Structure, Chain & Validation
May 21 · 10 min
PKI & Certificates
Hash Functions: MD5, SHA-256, BLAKE2 & When to Use Each
Apr 3 · 8 min
PKI & Certificates
ASN.1 & X.509 Certificates: A Practical Guide
Apr 3 · 11 min

General

General
Character Encoding Explained: ASCII, EBCDIC, Hex & Binary
May 21 · 7 min
General
BCD (Binary Coded Decimal): Packed, Unpacked & Financial Messages
May 21 · 6 min
General
Check Digits: Luhn Algorithm, Mod 10 & Validation Methods
May 21 · 6 min
General
Base94 Encoding: Compact Data Representation
May 21 · 5 min