In September 2004, NIST instituted a validation system for the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) as approved in FIPS 186-2. This is significant because it is the first validation system for an ECC-based algorithm. This now means that accredited third parties can test vendor implementations of ECDSA, thereby ensuring the proper security and interoperability. Ultimately, this should help encourage further adoption of ECDSA.
The first three companies to receive a certificate number for ECDSA Validation were: Certicom Corp. (#1), nCipher Corporation Ltd. (#2) and SafeNet Canada, Inc. (#3).
The next Certicom ECC Conference will take place from October 3-5, 2005 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. For more information, please contact conference@certicom.com.
This issue of Code & Cipher reviews the first annual Certicom ECC Conference and summarizes some of the key discussions at the event.