What is Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA)?

Secure Hash Algorithms (SHAs) are a family of cryptographic hash functions designed to keep data secure on different types of computer networks and computer infrastructure. SHAs work by transitioning the original data to a hash function algorithm that consists of several unique compression functions and modular additions. There are several SHAs in existence, and many of them were initially designed and built by the National Security Agency (NSA). The Bitcoin network makes use of the SHA-256 hash algorithm that allows Bitcoin miners and the network's underlying consensus mechanism to operate correctly.