Cryptographic standards for random number generation

Abstract

Random number generation is an often overlooked cornerstone for secure communications, cryptographic protocols, and scientific simulations.
We will survey the NIST framework for random bit generation (SP 800-90A/B/C, SP 800-22), highlighting how entropy sources, deterministic generators, and statistical validation form a structured foundation for practice.
We will also discuss the challenges and opportunities of quantum entropy sources through an ongoing project for distributed infrastructures at INFN, showcasing how this area is a potential of multidisciplinary collaboration between engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and cryptographers.

Notes

The target is an advanced audience interested in the applied side of cryptography. It was the introduction to the Quantum Number Generators and Cryptogrpahy workshop at Cifris25.

We thank our collaborators at INFN computing facilities for their contributions and discussions on practical deployment issues.
This presentation is also indebted to the valuable feedback received from the Cryptographic Standards community, which greatly improved the clarity of the material.

Material

• proceedings: TBA
• slides