GOST R 34.10-2001 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology. Cryptographic data security. Formation and verification processes of (electronic) digital signature — GOST R 34.10-2001. The standard defines an elliptic-curve–based digital signature scheme, the formats of signature values, and the required algorithmic operations for signature generation and verification (uses an external hash function such as GOST R 34.11-94).

Abstract

GOST R 34.10-2001 specifies a public‑key digital signature algorithm based on operations in an elliptic‑curve group over a prime field. It describes required parameters (curve, prime modulus, subgroup order, base point), the computational steps for producing and verifying a 512‑bit signature value (concatenation of two 256‑bit integers), and example/test parameter sets for implementations. The cryptographic strength is based on the elliptic‑curve discrete logarithm problem and on the hash function used.

General information

• Status: Superseded / replaced (original national standard now replaced by GOST R 34.10-2012; GOST R 34.10-2001 is no longer the current Russian signature standard).
• Publication date: Adopted 2001 (date of introduction into practice commonly recorded as 01 July 2002).
• Publisher: Gosudarstvennyi Standart of the Russian Federation / Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology (Rosstandart) (national standards body).
• ICS / categories: Information technology / IT security and information coding (commonly classified under ICS 35.030 / 35.040 for IT security and information coding).
• Edition / version: GOST R 34.10-2001 (national standard, 2001 edition). Superseded by GOST R 34.10-2012.
• Number of pages: Short technical standard — typically published as a brief document (~16 pages in common public copies).

Scope

Defines the digital signature scheme (generation and verification) for messages transmitted over insecure public telecommunication channels. The scheme is specified to operate using elliptic‑curve point arithmetic over a prime field together with a 256‑bit hash function; key generation/parameter generation methods are left to implementers or agreed parties, while signature/value formats and verification checks are normative. The standard includes test/example parameter sets for conformance testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Elliptic‑curve digital signature algorithm (EC-based) operating over a prime finite field; security relies on the elliptic‑curve discrete logarithm problem.
• Signature format: a 512‑bit binary vector formed by concatenating two 256‑bit integers (R and S).
• Mandatory parameters for a scheme instance: prime modulus p (>2^255), elliptic curve coefficients (a, b) or invariant J(E), subgroup order q (2^254 < q < 2^256), base point P of order q, and a 256‑bit hash function identifier.
• Procedures: signature generation (hash message → compute random k, compute r, s, build R||S) and verification (check ranges, verify curve equation and point computations).
• Parameter sets and ASN.1 identifiers for common curve choices and digest/encryption parameter bindings are documented in supplemental materials (e.g., RFC 4357) for Internet uses and interoperability.
• Test vectors and example parameter sets are provided in an appendix for implementation testing.

Typical use and users

Intended for implementers of cryptographic libraries, secure messaging systems, certification authorities, and organisations requiring electronic signature services within contexts that accept GOST standards (historical Russian governmental and commercial IT systems). Because it has been superseded by later GOST versions, current deployments and modern compliance work normally target GOST R 34.10-2012 or later; nevertheless GOST R 34.10-2001 remains relevant for legacy system maintenance and forensic/compatibility analysis.

Related standards

Closely related GOST family standards: GOST R 34.11-94 (hash function historically paired with this signature scheme), GOST 28147-89 (symmetric encryption used in related suites), and the successor GOST R 34.10-2012 (which replaces this standard). Internet-facing specifications and parameter mappings appear in RFC 4357 and RFC 5933 (use in X.509/DNS contexts).

Keywords

GOST R 34.10-2001, GOST3410, digital signature, elliptic curve, EC‑GOST, GOST R 34.11-94, signature verification, Russian cryptographic standard, public-key, param sets, R||S (512-bit).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: A Russian national standard (GOST R 34.10-2001) specifying an elliptic‑curve–based digital signature algorithm: the formats and algorithms for signature generation and verification for use with a 256‑bit hash function.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the mathematical definitions, required scheme parameters (p, curve, q, base point P), the signature generation and verification algorithms, binary encoding of signatures (R and S components), and provides test/example parameter sets for conformance. Key‑generation and parameter‑generation procedures are left to implementers or agreed profiles.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Cryptographic library authors, vendors of security products for markets that historically adopted GOST standards, implementers maintaining legacy Russian‑standard systems, and researchers analysing GOST‑family algorithms. For new deployments, implementers generally use the later GOST R 34.10-2012 family.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Superseded — GOST R 34.10-2001 has been replaced by GOST R 34.10-2012 as the current national signature standard; use of the 2001 algorithms has been deprecated for some Internet usages (for example, DNSSEC mappings have been retired/deprecated in recent IETF updates). For interoperability or regulatory requirements, consult the target environment’s approved algorithm list.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the GOST R 34.x series addressing cryptographic data security (signatures, hashes, encryption). Companion standards in the series include GOST R 34.11 (hashing) and GOST 28147 (symmetric encryption); later revisions continue the family under 2012 and subsequent revisions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Elliptic curve, digital signature, GOST, GOST R 34.10-2001, signature verification, R||S 512-bit, GOST hash, param sets, Russian standard.