Reference Guide

Acronyms and Definitions 35
RSA BSAFE Crypto-C Micro Edition 4.1 Security Policy
Level 1
MD2 A message digest algorithm, which hashes an arbitrary-length input into a 16-byte digest.
MD2 is no longer considered secure.
MD4 A message digest algorithm, which hashes an arbitrary-length input into a 16-byte digest.
MD5 A message digest algorithm, which hashes an arbitrary-length input into a 16-byte digest.
Designed as a replacement for MD4.
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology. A division of the US Department of
Commerce (formerly known as the NBS) which produces security and cryptography-related
standards.
OFB Output Feedback. A mode of encryption in which the cipher is decoupled from its ciphertext.
OS Operating System.
PBKDF1 Password-based Key Derivation Function 1. A method of password-based key derivation,
which applies a message digest (MD2, MD5, or SHA-1) to derive the key. PBKDF1 is not
recommended for new applications because the message digest algorithms used have known
vulnerabilities, and the derived keys are limited in length.
PBKDF2 Password-based Key Derivation Function 2. A method of password-based key derivation,
which applies a Message Authentication Code (MAC) algorithm to derive the key.
PC Personal Computer.
PDA Personal Digital Assistant.
PPC PowerPC.
privacy The state or quality of being secluded from the view or presence of others.
private key The secret key in public key cryptography. Primarily used for decryption but also used for
encryption with digital signatures.
PRNG Pseudo-random Number Generator.
RC2 Block cipher developed by Ron Rivest as an alternative to the DES. It has a block size of 64
bits and a variable key size. It is a legacy cipher and RC5 should be used in preference.
RC4 Symmetric algorithm designed by Ron Rivest using variable length keys (usually 40-bit or
128-bit).
RC5 Block cipher designed by Ron Rivest. It is parameterizable in its word size, key length, and
number of rounds. Typical use involves a block size of 64 bits, a key size of 128 bits, and
either 16 or 20 iterations of its round function.
RNG Random Number Generator.
RSA Public key (asymmetric) algorithm providing the ability to encrypt data and create and verify
digital signatures. RSA stands for Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, the developers of the RSA
public key cryptosystem.
Table 7 Acronyms and Definitions
Term Definition