Date Published: January 2026
Author(s)
Elaine Barker (NIST), John Kelsey (NIST), Kerry McKay (NIST), Johannes Mittmann (BSI), Matthias Peter (BSI), Werner Schindler (BSI), Meltem Sönmez Turan (NIST)
This report studies the cryptographic random number generation standards and guidelines written by BSI and NIST, namely AIS 20/31 and the SP 800‐90 series. The aim of this report is to compare these publications, focusing on the similarities and differences of their terminol‐ogy, assumptions, and requirements. This report also aims to improve the communications between all involved parties, promote a shared understanding, and reduce and resolve inconsistencies in related standards.
This report studies the cryptographic random number generation standards and guidelines written by BSI and NIST, namely AIS 20/31 and the SP 800‐90 series. The aim of this report is to compare these publications, focusing on the similarities and differences of their terminol‐ogy, assumptions, and...
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This report studies the cryptographic random number generation standards and guidelines written by BSI and NIST, namely AIS 20/31 and the SP 800‐90 series. The aim of this report is to compare these publications, focusing on the similarities and differences of their terminol‐ogy, assumptions, and requirements. This report also aims to improve the communications between all involved parties, promote a shared understanding, and reduce and resolve inconsistencies in related standards.
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Keywords
cryptographic random number generation; entropy; terminology; validation
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