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Computer Security Resource Center

Computer Security Resource Center

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Pseudorandom

Abbreviation(s) and Synonym(s):

None

Definition(s):

  A process (or data produced by a process) is said to be pseudorandom when the outcome is deterministic, yet also effectively random, as long as the internal action of the process is hidden from observation. For cryptographic purposes, “effectively” means “within the limits of the intended cryptographic strength.”
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-90A Rev. 1

  A deterministic process (or data produced by such a process) whose output values are effectively indistinguishable from those of a random process as long as the internal states and internal actions of the process are unknown. For cryptographic purposes, “effectively indistinguishable” means “not within the computational limits established by the intended security strength.”
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-90B