What ITL Does

The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) is one of NIST’s six research laboratories that focuses on IT measurements, testing, and standards, and is a globally recognized and trusted source of high-quality, independent, and unbiased research and data. As a world-class measurement and testing laboratory encompassing a wide range of areas of computer science, mathematics, statistics, and systems engineering, ITL’s research program supports NIST’s mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and related technology.

ITL’s strategy is to maximize the benefits of information technology (IT) to society through a balanced IT measurement science and standards portfolio of three major activities: 1) fundamental research in mathematics, statistics, and IT; 2) applied IT research and development; and 3) standards development and technology transfer. ITL has identified five priority areas through which ITL research will maximize the benefits of IT and metrology to society: 1) cybersecurity, 2) the Internet of Things, 3) artificial intelligence, 4) reliable computing, and 5) future computing technologies.

ITL works with industry and other agencies to develop IT standards through standards developing organizations (SDOs) and has been accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a standards developer since October 1984. ITL maintains a list of its present participation in voluntary standards activities.