Data Encryption Standard

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

Data Encryption Standard
DES

   (DES) The {NBS}'s popular, standard {encryption} algorithm.
   It is a {product cipher} that operates on 64-bit blocks of
   data, using a 56-bit key.  It is defined in {FIPS} 46-1 (1988)
   (which supersedes FIPS 46 (1977)).  DES is identical to the
   {ANSI} standard {Data Encryption Algorithm} (DEA) defined in
   ANSI X3.92-1981.

   DES has been implemented in {VLSI}.  {SunOS} provides a des
   command which can make use of DES hardware if fitted.  Neither
   the software nor the hardware are supposed to be distributed
   outside the USA.

   {Unix manual pages}: des(1), des(3), des(4).

   (1994-12-06)