Under the Computer Security Act of 1987, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was authorized to approve standards and set guidelines to ensure the security and confidentiality of sensitive data that is processed on the government’s computer systems. In 1994, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) adopted the Digital Signature Standard (DSS) FIPS 186, which specifies algorithms that are used in creating digital signatures. Currently, a revised DSS, FIPS 186-4 is awaiting its final release and there is controversy regarding whether the DSS should be considered legally binding.
