What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to investigate a custom hash function's behavior rather than prove its cryptographic security.

May 2, 2026Open Access

Empirical analysis of a Custom Hash Function Using Statistical , Diffusion , and Structural Metrics.

Key Points

The aim is to investigate a custom hash function's behavior rather than prove its cryptographic security.
Evaluation of NovaHash using statistical randomness tests and diffusion metrics.
Testing for collision resistance and measurement of the avalanche effect.
Benchmarking against SHA-256 and exploring structural properties under iterations.
Strong statistical properties and diffusion characteristics observed in NovaHash compared to SHA-256.
Successful fulfillment of the Strict Avalanche Criterion and Bit Independence Criterion.
No formal claims of cryptographic security were established.

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical evaluation of a custom-designed hash function (NovaHash) using statistical randomness tests, diffusion metrics, and structural analysis. The goal of this study is not to propose a formally proven cryptographic primitive, but to investigate the behavior of a custom hashing mechanism under practical testing conditions. The evaluation includes collision resistance testing, bit distribution analysis, avalanche effect measurement, Strict Avalanche Criterion (SAC), Bit Independence Criterion (BIC), and performance benchmarking against standard implementations of SHA-256. Additionally, structural properties such as cycle behavior under iterative application are explored. Experimental results demonstrate strong statistical properties and diffusion characteristics comparable to standard hash functions. However, no formal claims of cryptographic security are made.

Empirical analysis of a Custom Hash Function Using Statistical , Diffusion , and Structural Metrics.

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study