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 in telecom span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening at the network edge), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both the packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36 and, in Europe, NIS2 sectoral rules.

Telecom security is written into standards from 3GPP, GSMA, ETSI, IETF and ITU-T. Understanding which body owns which specification, and how the specs interlock (for example 3GPP TS 33.501 with GSMA FS.34 for 5G SBA security), 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.

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