US kicks off secure hash competition

The SHA-3 competition directly parallels the contest that determined the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) mandated by the US government and used by many other nations and companies worldwide.

"Think of it as the encryption demolition derby," said Bruce Schneier, a well-known cryptographer and the chief technology officer for BT Counterpane. "We will be trying to destroy each other's algorithms. This will be a fun time for cryptographers."