Guide to Bluetooth Security

Published

January 19, 2022

Author(s)

John Padgette, John Bahr, Mayank Batra, Rhonda Smithbey, Lily Chen, Karen Scarfone

Abstract

Bluetooth wireless technology is an open standard for short-range radio frequency communication used primarily to establish wireless personal area networks (WPANs), and has been integrated into many types of business and consumer devices. This publication provides information on the security capabilities of Bluetooth and gives recommendations to organizations employing Bluetooth wireless technologies on securing them effectively. The Bluetooth versions within the scope of this publication are versions 1.1, 1.2, 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR), 2.1 + EDR, 3.0 + High Speed (HS), 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2. Versions 4.0 and later support the low energy feature of Bluetooth.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-121, Revision 2

Report Number

800-121, Revision 2

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-121r2-upd1

Local Download

Keywords

Bluetooth, information security, network security, wireless networking, wireless personal area networks

Citation

Padgette, J. , Bahr, J. , Batra, M. , Smithbey, R. , Chen, L. and Scarfone, K. (2022), Guide to Bluetooth Security, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-121r2-upd1, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=934038 (Accessed October 27, 2025)