Computer Security Resource Center

Computer Security Resource Center

Computer Security
Resource Center

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Bits of Security

Abbreviation(s) and Synonym(s):

security strength
Security Strength

Definition(s):

  A number associated with the amount of work (that is, the number of operations of some sort) that is required to break a cryptographic algorithm or system in some way. In this Recommendation, the security strength is specified in bits and is a specific value from the set {112, 128, 192, 256}. If the security strength associated with an algorithm or system is S bits, then it is expected that (roughly) 2S basic operations are required to break it.
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-90A Rev. 1 under Security Strength

  A number associated with the amount of work (that is, the number of operations) that is required to break a cryptographic algorithm or system. In this policy, security strength is specified in bits and is a specific value from the set {80, 112, 128, 192, 256}.
Source(s):
CNSSI 4009-2015 under security strength (CNSSI 1300)

  See security strength.
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-107 Rev. 1 under Bits of security