The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that is responsible for promoting innovation and industrial competitiveness. NIST conducts research and develops technology, standards, and guidelines in a wide range of areas, including information technology, manufacturing, and biotechnology. NIST is also a leading authority on cryptography and cybersecurity, and it develops and publishes standards and guidelines for the use of cryptography in government and industry. Some of NIST's most well-known publications include the Digital Signature Standard (DSS) and the Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program (CAVP), which are widely used in the development of cryptographic systems.