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Training Camp • Cybersecurity Glossary
Accepts an input message of any length and generates, through a one-way operation, a fixed-length output called a message digest or hash.
Hash Function Definition: Accepts an input message of any length and generates, through a one-way operation, a fixed-length output called a message digest or hash.
Accepts an input message of any length and generates, through a one-way operation, a fixed-length output called a message digest or hash. A hash function is a cryptographic algorithm that transforms data of arbitrary size into a fixed-size string (hash value or digest). Key properties include one-way operation (impossible to reverse), determinism (same input always produces same output), and collision resistance (difficult to find different inputs with same output). Hash function standards include SHA-2 and SHA-3, specified in FIPS 180-4 and FIPS 202. Organizations implement hashing for data integrity verification, password storage, digital signatures, and data deduplication. For example, a secure application might store passwords as salted SHA-256 hashes rather than plaintext, allowing password verification without ever storing the actual password. Related terms: Cryptographic hash, Message digest, SHA-256, MD5, Collision, One-way function, Digital signature, Password hashing.
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