NIST Special Publication 800 -208 Recommendation for Stateful Hash -Based Signature Schemes David A. Cooper Daniel C. Apon Quynh H. Dang Michael S. Davidson Morris J. Dworkin Carl A. Miller This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/ NIST.SP.800- 208 NIST Special Publication 800 -208 Recommendation for Stateful Hash -Based Signature Schemes David A. Cooper Daniel C. Apon Quynh H. Dang Michael S. Davidson Morris J. Dworkin Carl A. Miller Computer Security Division Information Technology Laboratory This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/ NIST.SP.800- 208 October 2020 U.S. Department of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary National Institute of Standards and Technology Walter Copan , NIST Director and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Authority This publication has been developed by NIST in accordance with its statutory responsibilities under the Federal Information Security M odernization Act (FISMA) of 2014 , 44 U.S.C. § 355 1 et seq. , Public Law (P.L.) 113 -283. NIST is responsible for d eveloping information security standards and guidelines, incl uding minimum requirements for f ederal information systems, but such standards and guidelines shall not apply to national security systems without the express approval of appropriate f ederal offi cials exercising policy authority over such systems. This guideline is consistent with the requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A -130. Nothing in this publication should be taken to contradict the standards and guidelines made mandatory and binding on f ederal agencies by the Secretary of Commerce under statutory authority. Nor should these guidelines be interpreted as altering or superseding the existing authorities of the Secretary of Commerce, Director of the OMB, or any othe r federal official. This publication may be used by nongovernmental organizations on a voluntary basis and is not subject to copyright in the United States. Attribution would, however, be appreciated by NIST. National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-208 Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. Spec. Publ. 800- 208, 59 pages (October 2020 ) CODEN: NSPUE2 This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/ NIST.SP.800 -208 Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose. There may be references in this publi cation to other publications currently under development by NIST in accordance with its assigned statutory responsibilities. The information in this publication, including concepts and methodologies, may be used by f ederal agencies even before the completi on of such companion publications. Thus, until each publication is completed, current requirements, guideline s, and procedures, where they exist, remain operative. For planning and transition purposes, f ederal agencies may wish to closely follow the develo pment of these new publications by NIST. Organizations are encouraged to review all draft publications during public comment periods and provide feedback to NIST. Many NIST cybersecurity publications , ot her than the ones noted above, are available at https://csrc.nist.gov/publications . Comments on this publication may be submitted to: National Institute of Standards and Technology Attn: Computer Security Division, Information Technology Laboratory 100 Bureau Drive (Mail Stop 8930) Gaithersburg, MD 20899 -8930 Email: [email protected] All comments are subject to release under