Patent ID: 8189778
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An electronic device configured for determining a seed for use in a cryptographic operation, the electronic device comprising: a pseudo random number generator configured to estimate a number of entropy data bits needed to satisfy a predetermined security strength of the cryptographic operation based on an entropy strength of a string of data bits, the entropy strength being a measure of randomness; wherein the pseudo random number generator is configured to guide a determination of the seed differently according to the estimated number of entropy data bits; a cryptographic operation module configured to perform the cryptographic operation using a pseudo random sequence having an entropy strength from a key and entropy data; an entropy evaluation module configured to determine the entropy strength of the string of data bits and decide whether the determined entropy strength satisfies the predetermined security strength; a seed determining module configured to determine the seed at least in part from the string of data bits upon deciding that the determined entropy strength satisfies the predetermined security strength; and an entropy data acquisition module configured to acquire additional entropy data bits upon deciding that the determined entropy strength of the string of bits fails to satisfy the predetermined security strength; wherein the electronic device is configured to use at least one of the additional entropy data bits in determining the seed for use in the cryptographic operation.