1. An apparatus for performing a compression operation in a hash algorithm, comprising: a message extension unit for receiving a message and generating a plurality of extended messages; a chaining variable initial conversion unit for receiving chaining variable data and converting the chaining variable data into initial state data; a step function operation unit for repeatedly calculating a step function based on the initial state data and the plurality of extended messages and then producing final state data; and a chaining variable final conversion unit for generating updated chaining variable data from the chaining variable data using the final state data, and outputting the updated chaining variable data.