A new "lightweight" Crypto Library for supporting an Advanced Grid Authentication Process with Smart Cards

In this paper we present how X.509 compliant “robot ” certificates stored on smart cards can be used to enhance the security architecture of the gL it Grid middleware .The solution we propose extends the native Java TM Cryptographic Token Stand ard Interface (PKCS#11) libraries with the Bouncy Castle and the Java CoG Kits API in orde r to implement a “lightweight” crypto utility which may be used by single users, applicat ions, general purpose web portals and/or Science Gateways to create valid proxies by accessi ng the digital certificates stored on a smart card.