
182 Cryptography with Open-Source Software
8.6 The Data Encryption Standard
The Data Encryption Standard (DES) was designed by IBM and after
evaluation by the NSA was adopted in 1976 as an encryption standard, and
authorized for use on all non-classified information. The DES algorithm is
without doubt the most intensively resea rched algorithm in the history o f
cryptography. Although it is beg inning to show its age, it is still much used,
and there are ways of using it that increase its strength. DE S is an example
of a general class of secr e t- key cryptosystems called Feistel ciphers.
First note that DES, and all similar ciphers, are designed to ...