A workshop aimed at improving federal cryptographic key management systems will be held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)'s Gaithersburg, Md., campus on March 4-5, 2014.
The workshop will focus on discussing a draft NIST Special Publication that will establish specific requirements for federal organizations desiring to use or operate a cryptographic key management system. Protecting sensitive electronic information requires cryptographic algorithms that depend on "keys," the cryptographic equivalent of a password. Effectively managing the secure use and distribution of these keys is considered one of the most difficult aspects of cryptographic technology.
This draft publication up for discussion, SP 800-152 ("A Profile for U.S. Federal CKMS"), is based on the requirements in SP 800-130 ("A Framework for Designing Cryptographic Key Management Systems"), and is available for public comment at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsDrafts.html#SP-800-152.
Registration is required by Feb. 25 for permission to enter the NIST campus. Register online; onsite registration is not available. The conference also will be webcast, and registration is not required for viewing.
More information is available online.