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

Validating the Correctness of Hardware Implementations of the NBS Data Encryption Standard

Published

Author(s)

Jason Gait

Abstract

This publication describes the design and operation of the NBS testbed that is used for the validation of hardware implementations of the Federal Information Processing Data Encryption Standard (DES). A particular implementation is verified if it correctly performs a set of 291 test cases that have been defined to exercise every basic element of the algorithm. As a further check on the correctness of the implementation, an extensive Monte-Carlo test is performed. This publication includes the full specification of the DES algorithm, a complete listing of the DES test set, and a detailed description of the interface to the testbed.
Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 500-20
Report Number
500-20
NIST Pub Series
Special Publication (NIST SP)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs
Superceded By Publication
Validating the Correctness of Hardware Implementations of the NBS Data Encryption Standard

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

communications security, computer security, cryptography, encryption standard, interface requirements, Monte-Carlo testing, testbed, test cases, validating correctness
Conformance testing and Cybersecurity and privacy

Citation

Gait, J. (1977), Validating the Correctness of Hardware Implementations of the NBS Data Encryption Standard, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NBS.SP.500-20e1977 (Accessed October 13, 2025)

Issues

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

Created November 1, 1977, Updated November 10, 2018
Was this page helpful?