Cryptology ePrint Archive: Report 2019/1263

Comments on Cryptographic Entropy Measurement

Anna Johnston

Abstract: Random data and the entropy contained within is a critical component of information security. Minimum entropy is the base measurement defined by NIST and what many of their entropy tests are based on. However minimum entropy does not satisfy the basic requirements for an entropy measurement in either Shannon's original document or in Renyi's generalization of entropy . This document suggests a different way forward with a reclassification of entropy into two classes. With this differentiation, measurement tools are simplified and allow for more accurate assessments of entropy.

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Date: received 30 Oct 2019

Contact author: amj at juniper net

Available format(s): PDF | BibTeX Citation

Version: 20191105:080508 (All versions of this report)

Short URL: ia.cr/2019/1263