Security for the digital library-protecting documents rather than channels

In this paper we focus on the mechanisms necessary to put a security architecture for digital libraries in place. This includes protection of the content, feasibility of payment and assertion of copy- and usage rights. While current research in secure Web technology (like SSH, SHTTP or SSL) focuses on the protection of the communication channel, proposals for protecting digital content usually rely on some sort of secure container to realize the functions mentioned above. We explain the concepts underlying both approaches using the IBM Cryprolope technology as an example for secure containers.