Secure Hash Algorithm

Secure Hash Algorithm is the NIST family of cryptographic hash functions: SHA-1 (broken for collision resistance, retired), SHA-2 (SHA-224/256/384/512, current baseline), and SHA-3 (a Keccak-based alternative). Hash functions underpin digital signatures, certificates, password storage (with KDFs), and integrity checks in IPsec, TLS, and many telecom protocols.

Categories: Security ControlsProtocols and StandardsInternet and Routing

SHA in context

Security controls span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36.

Telecom security is written into standards from 3GPP, GSMA, ETSI, IETF and ITU-T. Understanding which body owns which specification, and how they interlock, is essential for both design and audit work.

To place SHA in the wider telecom-security picture, review Digital Signature, ML-DSA, SIRT, Suricata, HMAC-SHA256 and SLH-DSA: each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

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