An implementation of a technology, described herein, for ensuring
reliability, stability, and adherence to a given set of security
conformance standards for cryptographic program modules. An
implementation of the present claimed invention is a debugging and
testing tool for customized cryptographic service providers ("CSPs"). A
CSP has a cryptographic type and functionality level within that type.
The CSPs are tested based various test classifications. The crypto
sub-system of the OS has a set of application program interface ("API")
that manage cryptographic procedures called "CryptoAPI." For a CSP to be
considered reliable, stable, and in compliance with a given set of
security conformance standards, it must successfully operate with the
CryptoAPI in a reliable and stable manner and it must react appropriately
for the given security conformance standards. The CSPs are tested in
order of increasing complexity/sophistication in functionality from
simplest to most complex. This abstract itself is not intended to limit
the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed
out in the appending claims.