S-63
Encyclopedia
S-63 is an International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standard for encrypting, securing and compressing electronic navigational chart
(ENC) data.
The Data Protection Scheme was prepared by the IHO Data Protection Scheme Advisory Group, and was based on the protection scheme developed and operated by Primar as part of providing their protected ENC service. ECC (Electronic Chart Centre) and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
were the original contributing organizations. The UKHO has since left this arrangement and Primar is now operated exclusively by ECC.
The standard was adopted as the official IHO standard by the IHO member states in December 2002.
The S-63 standard secures data by encrypting the basic transfer database using the Blowfish
algorithm, SHA-1-hashing the data based on a random key and adding a CRC32
check. The standard also defines the systems to develop permit files that are delivered to end-users of ENC data enabling them to decrypt the data and use it for navigation. It also defines the use of DSA
format signatures to authenticate the data originator, however because of poor implementation of the standard by ECDIS
hardware manufacturers, virtually all signing is performed centrally by the IHO
which acts as the scheme administrator. Exceptions to this are a few smaller resellers such as AUSRenc operated by AHS.
Compression is achieved by applying the standard ZIP (file format)
algorithm to the base and update ENC files, before encryption. The other files are not compressed.
Electronic navigational chart
An electronic navigational chart is an official database created by a national hydrographic office for use with an Electronic Chart Display and Information System . An electronic chart must conform to standards stated in the International Hydrographic Organization Special Publication S-57 before...
(ENC) data.
The Data Protection Scheme was prepared by the IHO Data Protection Scheme Advisory Group, and was based on the protection scheme developed and operated by Primar as part of providing their protected ENC service. ECC (Electronic Chart Centre) and United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office is an organisation within the UK government responsible for providing navigational and other hydrographic information for national, civil and defence requirements...
were the original contributing organizations. The UKHO has since left this arrangement and Primar is now operated exclusively by ECC.
The standard was adopted as the official IHO standard by the IHO member states in December 2002.
The S-63 standard secures data by encrypting the basic transfer database using the Blowfish
Blowfish (cipher)
Blowfish is a keyed, symmetric block cipher, designed in 1993 by Bruce Schneier and included in a large number of cipher suites and encryption products. Blowfish provides a good encryption rate in software and no effective cryptanalysis of it has been found to date...
algorithm, SHA-1-hashing the data based on a random key and adding a CRC32
Cyclic redundancy check
A cyclic redundancy check is an error-detecting code commonly used in digital networks and storage devices to detect accidental changes to raw data...
check. The standard also defines the systems to develop permit files that are delivered to end-users of ENC data enabling them to decrypt the data and use it for navigation. It also defines the use of DSA
Digital Signature Algorithm
The Digital Signature Algorithm is a United States Federal Government standard or FIPS for digital signatures. It was proposed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in August 1991 for use in their Digital Signature Standard , specified in FIPS 186, adopted in 1993. A minor...
format signatures to authenticate the data originator, however because of poor implementation of the standard by ECDIS
Electronic Chart Display and Information System
An Electronic Chart Display and Information System is a computer-based navigation information system that complies with International Maritime Organization regulations and can be used as an alternative to paper nautical charts...
hardware manufacturers, virtually all signing is performed centrally by the IHO
International Hydrographic Organization
The International Hydrographic Organization is the inter-governmental organisation representing the hydrographic community. It enjoys observer status at the UN and is the recognised competent authority on hydrographic surveying and nautical charting...
which acts as the scheme administrator. Exceptions to this are a few smaller resellers such as AUSRenc operated by AHS.
Compression is achieved by applying the standard ZIP (file format)
ZIP (file format)
Zip is a file format used for data compression and archiving. A zip file contains one or more files that have been compressed, to reduce file size, or stored as is...
algorithm to the base and update ENC files, before encryption. The other files are not compressed.