A Statistical Test Suite for Random and Pseudorandom Number Generators for Cryptographic Applications

Published

May 15, 2001

Author(s)

Andrew L. Rukhin, Juan Soto, James R. Nechvatal, Miles E. Smid, Elaine B. Barker, Stefan D. Leigh, M Levenson, M Vangel, D L. Banks, Nathanael A. Heckert, James F. Dray Jr., S C. Vo

Abstract

[Superseded by SP 800-22 Revision 1a (April 2010): http://www.nist.gov/manuscript-publication-search.cfm?pub_id=906762] This paper discusses some aspects of selecting and testing random and pseudorandom number generators. The outputs of such generators may be used in many cryptographic applications, such as the generation of key material. Generators suitable for use in cryptographic applications may need to meet stronger requirements than for other applications. In particular, their outputs must be unpredictable in the absence of knowledge of the inputs. Some criteria for characterizing and selecting appropriate generators are discussed in this document. The subject of statistical testing and its relation to cryptanalysis is also discussed, and some recommended statistical tests are provided. These tests may be useful as a first step in determining whether or not a generator is suitable for a particular cryptographic application. However, no set of statistical tests can absolutely certify a generator as appropriate for usage in a particular application, i.e., statistical testing cannot serve as a substitute for cryptanalysis. The design and cryptanalysis of generators is outside the scope of this paper.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-22

Report Number

800-22

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Superceded By Publication

A Statistical Test Suite for Random and Pseudorandom Number Generators for Cryptographic Applications

Keywords

hypothesis test, P-value, random number generator, statistical tests

Citation

Rukhin, A. , Soto, J. , Nechvatal, J. , Smid, M. , Barker, E. , Leigh, S. , Levenson, M. , Vangel, M. , Banks, D. , Heckert, N. , Dray, J. and Vo, S. (2001), A Statistical Test Suite for Random and Pseudorandom Number Generators for Cryptographic Applications, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 4, 2024)