This is the first of two articles about security for ebXML, with a focus on the message layer. For a general introduction to ebXML concepts with a look at the overall use case for a generic ebXML interaction based on functional phases, see An Introduction to ebXML. In this article, the emphasis will be on explaining the message-level security and security policy mechanisms for ebXML messaging (ebMS).

The ebXML language (Electronic Business using eXtensible Markup Language) is a business protocol that enables enterprises to conduct business over the Internet. WebLogic Workshop uses ebXML controls for initiator processes and ebXML Participant Business Processes templates for participant processes to build business processes systems which exchange ebXML business messages between trading partners.