Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA)

Secure Hash Algorithms (SHAs) constitute a family of cryptographic hash functions designed to maintain data security in various computer networks and infrastructures. SHAs function by transforming the original data into a hash function algorithm involving unique compression functions and modular additions. Several SHAs were initially developed by the National Security Agency (NSA). Bitcoin utilizes the SHA-256 hash algorithm, which enables the correct operation of Bitcoin miners and the underlying consensus mechanism in the network.