PKCS#11 Providers - Security Modules Used as Cryptographic Backends

Explore PKCS#11 providers and their role as cryptographic backends in this 15-minute conference talk from DevConf.CZ 2025. Learn about the RHEL crypto team's development efforts to integrate PKCS#11 support into major cryptographic libraries including OpenSSL and GnuTLS. Discover how the PKCS#11 API enables access to hardware and software security modules for performing cryptographic operations, and understand the key benefits these providers offer. Examine GnuTLS in detail, focusing on its cryptographic backend architecture and the ongoing development of its PKCS#11 provider implementation. Watch a practical demonstration showcasing GnuTLS's PKCS#11 provider functionality in real-world scenarios, providing concrete examples of how these security modules enhance cryptographic operations in enterprise environments.