NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

Recommendation for Random Number Generation Using Deterministic Random Bit Generators

Published

Author(s)

Elaine B. Barker, Larry Feldman, Gregory A. Witte

Abstract

This bulletin summarizes the information presented in NIST SP 800-90A, Revision 1. The publication specifies mechanisms for the generation of random bits using deterministic methods. The methods provided are based on either hash functions or block cipher algorithms.
Citation
ITL Bulletin -
NIST Pub Series
ITL Bulletin
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

Deterministic Random Bit Generator (DRBG), entropy, hash function, random number generator
Cybersecurity and privacy

Citation

Barker, E. , Feldman, L. and Witte, G. (2015), Recommendation for Random Number Generation Using Deterministic Random Bit Generators, ITL Bulletin, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=919165 (Accessed October 13, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created August 13, 2015, Updated February 19, 2017
Was this page helpful?