FIPS PUB 180-2, FEDERAL INFORMATION PROCESSING STANDARD PUBLICATION: SECURE HASH STANDARD (SHS) (AUG 2002)

FIPS PUB 180-2, FEDERAL INFORMATION PROCESSING STANDARD PUBLICATION: SECURE HASH STANDARD (SHS) (AUG 2002). The purpose of this standard is to specify a Secure Hash Algorithm to be used by both the transmitter and intended receiver of a message in computing and verifying a digital signature. This Standard specifies four secure hash algorithms - SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 - for computing a condensed representation of electronic data (message). When a message of any length < 264 bits (for SHA-1 and SHA-256) or < 2128 bits (for SHA-384 and SHA-512) is input to an algorithm, the result is an output called a message digest. The message digests range in length from 160 to 512 bits, depending on the algorithm. Secure hash algorithms are typically used with other cryptographic algorithms, such as digital signature algorithms and keyed-hash message authentication codes, or in the generation of random numbers (bits). FIPS 180-2 superseded FIPS 180-1 as of February 1, 2003.