NIST is seeking public feedback on the initial public draft of NIST IR 8214B, which focuses on threshold EdDSA/Schnorr signatures. This report examines signature schemes that are compatible with the verification phase of the Edwards Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (EdDSA) specified in Draft FIPS 186-5.
The document analyzes threshold schemes, where the private signing key is shared across multiple parties without reconstructing the key. It reviews the properties of EdDSA/Schnorr deterministic and probabilistic signatures in both conventional and threshold settings, summarizing known properties and approaches.
These threshold signatures can be used as a drop-in replacement for conventional signatures without changing the legacy verification code. The report suggests further consultation with experts for security formulations, technical descriptions, and reference implementations.
The public comment period is open until October 24, 2022. A call for patent claims is included in the draft.
Keywords: nist, quantum, signatures, cryptography, threshold
