Recommendations for Key-Encapsulation Mechanisms | Draft SP 800-227 is Available for Comment
January 07, 2025

The initial public draft of NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-227, Recommendations for Key-Encapsulation Mechanisms, is now available for public comment.

NIST recently published Federal Information Process Standard (FIPS) 203, Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism Standard, to update its cryptographic standards with an algorithm designed to provide protection from quantum attacks.  In addition, NIST will select one or two additional quantum-resistant key-encapsulation mechanisms (KEMs) for standardization. To provide guidance on using KEMs, NIST is introducing SP 800-227, Recommendations for Key-Encapsulation Mechanisms.  This draft document describes the basic definitions, properties, and applications of KEMs. It also provides recommendations for implementing and using KEMs in a secure manner.

The public comment period is open through March 7, 2025. See the publication details for a copy of the draft and instructions for submitting comments.

NIST will also hold a virtual Workshop on Guidance for KEMs on February 25-26, 2025, to gather additional feedback on SP 800-227.