Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite

The Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite (CNSA) is a set of cryptographic algorithms promulgated by the National Security Agency as a replacement for NSA Suite B Cryptography algorithms. It serves as the cryptographic base to protect US National Security Systems information up to the top secret level, while the NSA plans for a transition to quantum-resistant cryptography.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Timeline for the transition to CNSA 2.0

The suite includes

The CNSA transition is notable for moving RSA from a temporary legacy status, as it appeared in Suite B, to supported status. It also did not include the Digital Signature Algorithm. This, and the overall delivery and timing of the announcement, in the absence of post-quantum standards, raised considerable speculation about whether NSA had found weaknesses e.g. in elliptic-curve algorithms or others, or was trying to distance itself from an exclusive focus on ECC for non-technical reasons.[7][8][9]

In September 2022, the NSA announced CNSA 2.0, which includes its first recommendations for post-quantum cryptographic algorithms.[10]

CNSA 2.0 includes[11]

Note that compared to CNSA 1.0, CNSA 2.0:

  • Suggests separate post-quantum algorithms (XMSS/LMS) for software/firmware signing for use immediately
  • Allows SHA-512
  • Announced the selection of CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium early, with the expectation that they will be mandated only when the final standards and FIPS-validated implementations are released.
    • RSA, Diffie-Hellman, and elliptic curve cryptography will be deprecated at that time.

References
  1. Cook, John (2019-05-23). "NSA recommendations | algorithms to use until PQC". www.johndcook.com. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  2. "Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) Suite Factsheet". apps.nsa.gov. 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  3. "CNSA Suite and Quantum Computing FAQ" (PDF). cryptome.org. January 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  4. "Use of public standards for the secure sharing of information among national security systems, Advisory Memorandum 02-15 CNSS Advisory Memorandum Information Assurance 02-15". Committee on National Security Systems. 2015-07-31. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  5. "Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite". apps.nsa.gov. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  6. Housley, Russ; Zieglar, Lydia (July 2018). "RFC 8423 - Reclassification of Suite B Documents to Historic Status". tools.ietf.org. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  7. "NSA's FAQs Demystify the Demise of Suite B, but Fail to Explain One Important Detail – Pomcor". 9 February 2016. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  8. "A riddle wrapped in a curve". A Few Thoughts on Cryptographic Engineering. 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  9. Koblitz, Neal; Menezes, Alfred J. (2018-05-19). "A Riddle Wrapped in an Enigma". Cryptology ePrint Archive.
  10. "Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Resources". www.nsa.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  11. "Announcing the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0" (PDF). defense.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-02.


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