This NIST Cybersecurity White Paper describes a 5G security feature that protects sensitive information in the Initial Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Message and explains how organizations can verify these protections in deployed 5G networks.
This white paper is part of the NCCoE’s work to accelerate the adoption of 5G security features by demonstrating their implementation on our operational 5G security testbed and providing actionable implementation guidelines to help network operators enhance the cybersecurity and privacy of 5G systems and supporting infrastructures.
Background
Current 5G standards include specifications to address cybersecurity and privacy challenges present in previous generations of cellular systems. In 4G, the initial handshake message used to establish a connection between the device and the network—the Initial NAS Message—was sent without encryption or integrity protection. This leaves the 4G user device and the core network vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Current 5G specifications allow the device to send the security-sensitive contents of the initial NAS message in an encrypted and integrity protected form.
This White Paper describes how the NCCoE demonstrated these capabilities and explains how organizations can verify these protections in deployed 5G networks to protect the security and privacy on their networks.
By demonstrating security features on our operational 5G Testbed, we aim to deliver real-world implementation insights to advance 5G security and inform the next generation of wireless security.
Submit Your Feedback!
This White Paper is available for public comment through September 7, 2026. Visit the NCCoE 5G Cybersecurity project page to learn more and download the White Paper today!
NIST has released initial working drafts of proposed updates to the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standards to support the use of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The drafts identify the changes expected to be needed to use the ML-DSA digital signature algorithm and the ML-KEM key-encapsulation mechanism with PIV.
The current draft set comprises:
- SP 800-73 Part 1: PIV Card Application Namespace, Data Model, and Representation
- SP 800-73 Part 2: PIV Card Application Card Command Interface
- SP 800-78: Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for PIV
A supporting PQC Overview accompanies the drafts to present a working gap analysis of the specification changes needed across the PIV algorithm profile, command interface, and data model, and outline the general approach under consideration. This approach centers on a dual-stack model that preserves existing classical PIV keys and data objects; adds new key references, certificate containers, and data objects for PQC credentials; and supports backward compatibility and incremental deployment during the transition.
These are preliminary working materials, not formal public drafts. By collaborating with implementers and users to develop these guidelines and specifications, NIST hopes to accelerate the standardization and implementation of PQC in PIV credentials.
NIST welcomes feedback throughout the development process. Interested parties can follow the work and participate by:
NIST has released initial working drafts of proposed updates to the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standards to support the use of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The drafts identify the changes expected to be needed to use the ML-DSA digital signature algorithm and the ML-KEM key-encapsulation mechanism with PIV.
The current draft set comprises:
- SP 800-73 Part 1: PIV Card Application Namespace, Data Model, and Representation
- SP 800-73 Part 2: PIV Card Application Card Command Interface
- SP 800-78: Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for PIV
A supporting PQC Overview accompanies the drafts to present a working gap analysis of the specification changes needed across the PIV algorithm profile, command interface, and data model, and outline the general approach under consideration. This approach centers on a dual-stack model that preserves existing classical PIV keys and data objects; adds new key references, certificate containers, and data objects for PQC credentials; and supports backward compatibility and incremental deployment during the transition.
These are preliminary working materials, not formal public drafts. By collaborating with implementers and users to develop these guidelines and specifications, NIST hopes to accelerate the standardization and implementation of PQC in PIV credentials.
NIST welcomes feedback throughout the development process. Interested parties can follow the work and participate by:
NIST has released initial working drafts of proposed updates to the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standards to support the use of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The drafts identify the changes expected to be needed to use the ML-DSA digital signature algorithm and the ML-KEM key-encapsulation mechanism with PIV.
The current draft set comprises:
- SP 800-73 Part 1: PIV Card Application Namespace, Data Model, and Representation
- SP 800-73 Part 2: PIV Card Application Card Command Interface
- SP 800-78: Cryptographic Algorithms and Key Sizes for PIV
A supporting PQC Overview accompanies the drafts to present a working gap analysis of the specification changes needed across the PIV algorithm profile, command interface, and data model, and outline the general approach under consideration. This approach centers on a dual-stack model that preserves existing classical PIV keys and data objects; adds new key references, certificate containers, and data objects for PQC credentials; and supports backward compatibility and incremental deployment during the transition.
These are preliminary working materials, not formal public drafts. By collaborating with implementers and users to develop these guidelines and specifications, NIST hopes to accelerate the standardization and implementation of PQC in PIV credentials.
NIST welcomes feedback throughout the development process. Interested parties can follow the work and participate by:
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