Critical Security Parameter

In cryptography, the abbreviation CSP may refer to Critical Security Parameter.^[1] A Critical Security Parameter is information that is either user or system defined and is used to operate a cryptography module in processing encryption functions including cryptographic keys and authentication data, such as passwords, the disclosure or modification of which can compromise the security of a cryptographic module or the security of the information protected by the module.

References

1. "FIPS PUB 140-2: Security Requirements for Cryptographic modules" (PDF). NIST. 2002-12-03.