Which of the following types of cryptography defined by FIPS 185 describes a cryptographic algorithm or a tool accepted as a Federal Information Processing Standard?

Question

Options

• AType III (E) cryptography
• BType III cryptography
• CType I cryptography
• DType II cryptography

• B
  92% (36)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  5% (2)

Explanation

Type III cryptography, as defined under FIPS 185, specifically refers to a cryptographic algorithm or tool that has been accepted and published as a Federal Information Processing Standard - meaning it has gone through the formal NIST review and approval process for government use. Type I cryptography is incorrect because it refers to NSA-approved classified algorithms used to protect classified national security information. Type II cryptography is incorrect because it covers unclassified NSA-approved algorithms intended for sensitive but unclassified government data. Type III (E) cryptography (option A) is a distractor that specifically denotes the escrowed encryption subset of Type III - algorithms that include key escrow capabilities (like the Skipjack algorithm under the Clipper Chip initiative) - making it a narrower category than Type III itself.

Memory tip: Think of the "F" in FIPS matching "III" - three letters, three syllables - Fed-er-al. Type III = FIPS-approved. Type I = classified (one step above), Type II = unclassified-sensitive (in between), and the "(E)" suffix always means escrowed.

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