Topic

Using Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Applicable to

all

History

Priority

must

Mar 2024

When using elliptic curve cryptography, a suitable curve from NIST SP 800-186 is used.

The existing control relating to the use of FIPS 186-4 for the selection of suitable curves for elliptic curve cryptography was amended to reference the replacement NIST Special Publication 800-186.

Dec 2021

When using elliptic curve cryptography, a curve from FIPS 186-4 is used.

Miscellaneous changes were made to rationale and security controls throughout the publication. This included:

• A review from the Using the Information Security Manual chapter through to the Guidelines for Media chapter.

• Security controls suitable for all audiences have been identified with the ‘All’ applicability marking while additional security controls suitable for just government audiences have been identified with the O, P, S and TS applicability markings.

• Security controls suitable for specific classifications have been amended to include their classification(s) in the wording of the security controls to reduce the reliance on applicability markings to confer suitability.

• Tables in security controls have been converted into prose to allow for inclusion in the SSP annex template and the XML list of security controls.

• The use of ‘official’ and ‘highly classified’ terminology has been replaced with specific classifications to remove ambiguity.

• Security controls relating to high assurance ICT equipment have had their applicability narrowed to ‘S, TS’ reflecting that they are intended for the protection of SECRET and TOP SECRET systems and data.

2015

Agencies using elliptic curve cryptography must select a curve from the NIST standard, FIPS186-4.