NIST, Computer Security Division, Computer Security Resource Center
Cryptographic Key Management Project
Cryptographic Key Management (CKM) is a fundamental part of cryptographic technology and is considered one of the most difficult aspects associated with its use. Of particular concern are the scalability of the methods used to distribute keys and the usability of these methods. NIST has undertaken an effort to improve the overall key management strategies used by the public and private sectors in order to enhance the usability of cryptographic technology, provide scalability across cryptographic technologies, and support a global cryptographic key management infrastructure.
Cryptographic Key Management Workshop Summary (June 2009)
NIST Internal Report 7609, Cryptographic Key Management Workshop Summary - June 8-9, 2009, is now available. This document provides highlights of a workshop that was held in June 2009 to discuss the current state of key management systems, to identify future needs, and to discuss the development of a Cryptographic Key Management Design Framework that will address the issues discussed during the workshop.
Draft Special Publication 800-130, A Framework for Designing Cryptographic Key Management Systems
A draft of NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-130, A Framework for Designing Cryptographic Key Management Systems, is available for an initial public comment period. This document contains descriptions of Cryptographic Key Management System (CKMS) components that should be considered by a CKMS designer and specifies requirements for the documentation of those CKMS components in the design. Note that this document will be discussed at a Key Management Workshop scheduled for September 20-21, 2010 at NIST. The public comment period ended August 17, 2010.
Comments received on SP 800-130
Special Publication 800-131A, Transitions: Recommendation for Transitioning the Use of Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Lengths.
NIST announces the completion of Special Publication (SP) 800-131A, Transitions: Recommendation for Transitioning the Use of Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Lengths. This Recommendation provides the approach for transitioning from the use of one algorithm or key length to another, as initially addressed in Part 1 of SP 800-57.
Comments received on SP 800-131 [by March 15 deadline].
Comments received on SP 800-131 [by July 16 deadline].
Draft Special Publication 800-131B, Transitions: Validation of Transitioning Cryptographic Algorithm and Key Lengths
NIST requests comments on Draft Special Publication (SP) 800-131B, Transitions: Validation of Transitioning Cryptographic Algorithm and Key Lengths. SP 800-131B provides details about the validation of the cryptographic algorithms and cryptographic modules in transition, as specified in SP 800-131A. The public comment period ended March 31, 2011.
Comments received on SP 800-131B
Draft Special Publication 800-131C, Transitions: Validating the Transition from FIPS 186-2 to FIPS 186-3
NIST requests comments on Draft Special Publication (SP) 800-131C, Transitions: Validating the Transition from FIPS 186-2 to FIPS 186-3. SP 800-131C addresses both the cryptographic algorithm validations and the cryptographic module validations that are conducted by NIST’s Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program (CAVP) and the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), respectively. The public comment period ended March 31, 2011.
Questions regarding this project should be addressed to Elaine Barker of NIST.