Triple DES

Triple DES is a definition that relates to cryptography. 3DES algorithm encodes the data to protect it from cybercriminals. Let’s see the main sides of the algorithm’s work.

The full 3DES name is a Triple Data Encryption Algorithm. 3DES uses the “same keys to encrypt/decrypt data (symmetric-key algorithm)” in combination with “fixed-length blocks (block cipher)” to encrypt data blocks. The algorithm encrypts every single block 3 times. The encryption quantity is vital. So, one-time 56-bit key encoding nowadays is not enough due to cyber crooks evolving. Accordingly, the system adopts the Triple DES to provide better protection. There are a set of documents by various authorities that define 3DES (including ISO standards).

Once, the algorithm has used a 56-bit key and developed it to the 2-time encryption, it still hasn’t provided enough strength. Consequently, now the algorithm uses an enlarged cipher key to offer more security and make encoding invulnerable to cyber-attacks. Moreover, the algorithm has become more strong, thanks for enhancing the length. There was no need to change the algorithm itself.

So, Triple DES will use the unity of 3 keys which are K1, K2, and K3. Every key is 56-bit long. To understand the plain text encryption with 3DES, let’s look at the formula.

And the mechanism is as follows. TDES encodes the plain text with the K1, then decrypts it with the K2, and encrypts it once more with K3.