Standards & RFC Explorer

Summarizes the third round of the NIST post-quantum cryptography standardization process and selected algorithms.

Useful for learners exploring post-quantum algorithm migration and standards history.

Describes the ChaCha20 stream cipher, Poly1305 authenticator, and their AEAD construction for internet protocols.

Helpful for stream cipher, MAC, and AEAD visualizers.

Defines TLS 1.3, including the handshake, authenticated encryption, key schedule, and protocol security improvements over earlier TLS versions.

Useful when studying modern secure transport, handshake design, key derivation, and authenticated encryption.

Provides recommendations for key-establishment schemes based on finite field and elliptic curve discrete logarithm cryptography.

Reference for Diffie-Hellman, ECDH, and key agreement modules.

Defines SHA-3 derived functions for customization, message authentication, tuple hashing, and parallel hashing.

Helpful for advanced hash and MAC learning paths.

Specifies SHA-1 and SHA-2 hash algorithms, including SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, and variants.

Reference for SHA-256 compression, message schedule, and digest visualizations.

Defines SHA-3 hash functions and SHAKE extendable-output functions based on the Keccak permutation.

Useful for comparing Merkle-Damgård style hashes with sponge constructions.

Specifies approved deterministic random bit generators and security requirements for random generation.

Useful for explaining key generation, nonce generation, and randomness quality.

Specifies HKDF, a two-step extract-and-expand construction for deriving strong key material from input keying material.

Pairs well with CryptoViz KDF and TLS key schedule explanations.

Specifies Galois/Counter Mode and GMAC for authenticated encryption and authentication.

Useful for AES-GCM and AEAD mode explanations.

Defines AES, including block size, key sizes, round transformations, and key expansion.

Core reference for AES visualizers and AES key schedule education.