Data encryption encodes plain text data into unrecognizable values for security. The Data Encryption Standard (DES) was the first standard for encrypting digital data, but was replaced by the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) due to its small key size. Triple DES is a slower variation of DES that is still used today.
Data encryption is the process of encoding plain text data strings into unrecognizable values. This is an effective security measure for digital data because it renders the data useless to prying eyes. The Data Encryption Standard (DES) was the first standard defined for encrypting digital data. This standard was created in 1976 by the US government to protect sensitive government information.
The National Institute of Technology Standards (NIST) is the governing body for technology standards in the United States. This agency is a component of the Federal Department of Commerce. The agency was founded in 1901 to support scientific studies and laboratory research for the physical sciences.
Data encryption is a process of transforming plain text data into a unique set of characters. Secret cryptographic codes have been used for centuries as a way to hide sensitive data in messages. Encryption is an automated version of encryption that creates a secret message for computer data files. This process uses complex encryption algorithms, which are mathematical functions that manipulate data according to defined standards. The data encryption standard is a defined format for encoding data. It is based on a 56-bit encryption key.
Encryption keys are the secret passwords used to decrypt cryptographic data. An encryption algorithm uses the encryption key to transform plain text data into an encrypted format. This key is unique and must also be used for the decryption process. The key is usually shared by trusted entities and kept secret.
The data encryption standard was an early version of digital encryption and required a 56-bit encryption key. While this was a good initial form of encryption, computer scientists realized that the key size wasn’t large enough to deter hackers. Because of this limitation, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) was created by NIST in 2001. Standards in AES require a much larger key, making it impossible to crack.
Many legacy computer platforms use the data encryption standard. This encryption algorithm evolved into a standard triple DES version, which was an attempt to create strong encryption keys while keeping the small 56-bit key. Triple DES is a minor variation of this standard, which is much slower than regular DES. Triple DES is typically used more because DES is too easy to crack.
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