Date Published: January 7, 2025
Comments Due:
Email Questions to:
Planning Note (03/12/2025):
See the public comments received.
Author(s)
Gorjan Alagic (NIST), Elaine Barker (NIST), Lily Chen (NIST), Dustin Moody (NIST), Angela Robinson (NIST), Hamilton Silberg (NIST), Noah Waller (NIST)
Announcement
NIST recently published FIPS 203, Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism Standard, to update its cryptographic standards with an algorithm designed to provide protection from quantum attacks. In addition, NIST will select one or two additional quantum-resistant key-encapsulation mechanisms (KEMs) for standardization. To provide guidance on using KEMs, NIST is introducing SP 800-227, Recommendations for Key Encapsulation Mechanisms. This draft document describes the basic definitions, properties, and applications of KEMs. It also provides recommendations for implementing and using KEMs in a secure manner.
The public comment period is open through March 7, 2025.
NIST will also hold a virtual Workshop on Guidance for KEMs on February 25-26, 2025, to gather additional feedback on SP 800-227.
A key-encapsulation mechanism (KEM) is a set of algorithms that can be used by two parties under certain conditions to securely establish a shared secret key over a public channel. A shared secret key that is established using a KEM can then be used with symmetric-key cryptographic algorithms to perform essential tasks in secure communications, such as encryption and authentication. This document describes the basic definitions, properties, and applications of KEMs. It also provides recommendations for implementing and using KEMs in a secure manner.
A key-encapsulation mechanism (KEM) is a set of algorithms that can be used by two parties under certain conditions to securely establish a shared secret key over a public channel. A shared secret key that is established using a KEM can then be used with symmetric-key cryptographic algorithms to...
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A key-encapsulation mechanism (KEM) is a set of algorithms that can be used by two parties under certain conditions to securely establish a shared secret key over a public channel. A shared secret key that is established using a KEM can then be used with symmetric-key cryptographic algorithms to perform essential tasks in secure communications, such as encryption and authentication. This document describes the basic definitions, properties, and applications of KEMs. It also provides recommendations for implementing and using KEMs in a secure manner.
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Keywords
cryptography; encryption; key-encapsulation mechanism; key establishment; public-key cryptography
Control Families
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