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312-50V12 · Question #103

In this form of encryption algorithm, every individual block contains 64-bit data, and three keys are used, where each key consists of 56 bits. Which is this encryption algorithm?

The correct answer is B. Triple Data Encryption Standard. This question tests knowledge of symmetric block cipher specifications, specifically the Triple DES (3DES) algorithm's block size and key structure.

Submitted by diego_uy· Mar 4, 2026Cryptography

Question

In this form of encryption algorithm, every individual block contains 64-bit data, and three keys are used, where each key consists of 56 bits. Which is this encryption algorithm?

Options

  • AIDEA
  • BTriple Data Encryption Standard
  • CAES
  • DMD5 encryption algorithm

How the community answered

(30 responses)
  • A
    3% (1)
  • B
    90% (27)
  • C
    7% (2)

Why each option

This question tests knowledge of symmetric block cipher specifications, specifically the Triple DES (3DES) algorithm's block size and key structure.

AIDEA

IDEA (International Data Encryption Algorithm) uses 64-bit blocks but employs a single 128-bit key, not three 56-bit keys.

BTriple Data Encryption StandardCorrect

Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES/TDEA) operates on 64-bit data blocks and applies the DES cipher three times using three independent 56-bit keys (totaling 168 bits of key material). This triple application of DES was designed to overcome the vulnerability of single DES to brute-force attacks while maintaining backward compatibility with the original DES 64-bit block structure.

CAES

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) uses 128-bit block sizes and supports key lengths of 128, 192, or 256 bits, not 64-bit blocks with three 56-bit keys.

DMD5 encryption algorithm

MD5 is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit digest, not a block encryption algorithm, and does not use keys or operate on 64-bit data blocks in the same manner.

Concept tested: Triple DES block size and key structure

Source: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-67/rev2/final

Topics

#Symmetric encryption#3DES#Block cipher#Cryptography algorithms

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