Competition Open for New Hash Algorithm

Hugh Pickens writes "The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has opened a competition to develop a new cryptographic "hash" algorithm (pdf), a tool that converts a file, message or block of data to a short "fingerprint" for use in digital signatures, message authentication and other computer security applications. In recent years, several non-NIST approved cryptographic hash functions have been successfully attacked, and serious attacks have been published against SHA-1. In response, NIST held two public workshops to assess the status of its approved hash functions and has now decided to develop additional hash functions through a public competition. NIST is open to submissions of hash functions that differ from the traditional Merkle-Damgard model, using other structures, chaining modes, and possibly additional inputs. However, if a submitted algorithm cannot be used directly in current applications of hash functions, the submitted algorithm must define a compatibility construct with the same input and output parameters as the SHA hash functions such that it can replace the existing SHA functions in current applications. Entries for the competition must be received by Oct. 31, 2008."