The invention concerns a method for implementing in an electronic component a cryptographic algorithm using calculating means. The invention is characterized in that it consists in carrying out the following steps: a) selecting a value e among a specific number of values e.sub.I, e.sub.i being integers, b) checking if e.sub.i verifies a predetermined relationship: if so, then e=e.sub.i, and storing e for use in calculating said cryptographic algorithm.