Which hash algorithm is commonly used in government applications but is being phased out?

The common use of the SHA-1 hash algorithm in government applications reflects its historical significance and widespread adoption for various security purposes, including digital signatures and certificate generation. However, SHA-1 is being phased out due to evidence that it is susceptible to certain attacks, such as collision attacks where two different inputs generate the same hash output. This reduces its effectiveness in maintaining data integrity and authenticity, prompting organizations, including government entities, to transition to more secure hash algorithms like SHA-256.

As organizations and industry standards evolve, reliance on SHA-1 is decreasing, leading to a stronger emphasis on using algorithms that offer better security guarantees. This transition is geared towards enhancing data integrity and ensuring robust protection against cryptographic vulnerabilities.