Secure Hash Standard
Encyclopedia
The Secure Hash Standard (SHS) is a set of cryptographically
secure hash
algorithm
s specified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST).
The SHS standard specifies a number of Secure Hash Algorithm
s, for example SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512.
The current version of the SHS standard is the document NIST FIPS 180-3.
Cryptography
Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties...
secure hash
Hash function
A hash function is any algorithm or subroutine that maps large data sets to smaller data sets, called keys. For example, a single integer can serve as an index to an array...
algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
s specified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology , known between 1901 and 1988 as the National Bureau of Standards , is a measurement standards laboratory, otherwise known as a National Metrological Institute , which is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce...
(NIST).
The SHS standard specifies a number of Secure Hash Algorithm
Secure Hash Algorithm
The Secure Hash Algorithm is one of a number of cryptographic hash functions published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as a U.S. Federal Information Processing Standard :...
s, for example SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512.
The current version of the SHS standard is the document NIST FIPS 180-3.