Which function is a cryptographic hash function developed by NIST and included in the Secure Hash Standard?

Which function is a cryptographic hash function developed by NIST and included in the Secure Hash Standard?

• A. SHA
• B. DES
• C. AES
• D. MD5

Answer: (A)

The question tests knowledge of which cryptographic hash function is standardized by NIST within the Secure Hash Standard. SHA is the hash function family developed by NIST and included in SHS, meaning it’s the one defined and standardized for hashing purposes by this standard. The other options are not part of SHS for hashing: DES and AES are encryption algorithms (not hashes), and MD5 is an older hash function not part of SHS and is considered insecure today. So SHA is the best answer because it is the NIST-developed hash function officially included in the Secure Hash Standard.

The question tests knowledge of which cryptographic hash function is standardized by NIST within the Secure Hash Standard. SHA is the hash function family developed by NIST and included in SHS, meaning it’s the one defined and standardized for hashing purposes by this standard. The other options are not part of SHS for hashing: DES and AES are encryption algorithms (not hashes), and MD5 is an older hash function not part of SHS and is considered insecure today. So SHA is the best answer because it is the NIST-developed hash function officially included in the Secure Hash Standard.