Symmetric Encryption: Data Encryption Standard

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Introduction

Digital technology has revolutionized the way human beings and corporations pursue their economic goals. Since the 1940s, the world has relied on emerging systems to produce information that could be coded and decoded depending on the goals of the user. As the level of data application and access increased, the demand for encryption has grown in an attempt to make information on different platforms and databases more secure. This trend led to the creation of the Data Encryption Standard (DES) in the 1970s. Such an idea was founded on the original algorithm that Horst Feistel had created five years earlier (Sivakumar et al., 2017). IBM managed to develop more advanced encryption for the National Bureau of Standards. Consequently, DES became a superior version developed using differential cryptanalysis (Sivakumar et al., 2017). This creation makes it a symmetric-key algorithm that supports the encryption and subsequent protection of digital information or data (Daimary & Saikia, 2015). It has a short key characterized by 56 bits.

Before the development of DES, a hardware security module (HMS) was the common method for protecting devices both offline and online. This innovation relied on the power of a personal identification number (PIN) to grant access. Since this technology was owned by a single person named Mohamed Atalla, it became necessary for different institutions and stakeholders to consider the need for a standardized model that led to the development of the DES standard (Daimary & Saikia, 2015). This encryption method works by relying on a similar key to decrypt or encrypt the intended message. The approach means that the sender and the reader or receiver need to be in possession or aware of the private key (Sivakumar et al., 2017). It fits in with the prior technology since it only added additional features to maximize security through a better and advanced encryption strategy.

Strengths

The DES model presents several strengths or advantages that make it an effective encryption technology. First, it is founded on a 56-bit key, something that makes it a relatively secure model (Daimary & Saikia, 2015). The argument behind this idea is that it would take hackers or criminals a long time before they guess or enter the right key to access the safeguarded data (Sivakumar et al., 2017). Second, the notion of having the same function that only needs reversal during decryption makes it convenient for hardware and software match or configuration (Sivakumar et al., 2017). Computer technologists would, therefore, find the innovative idea easy to apply in a wide range of scenarios or settings. Third, triple-DES improves the security level of the original algorithm, thereby increasing the security level.

Weaknesses

Although DES has been in use for many years, it presents specific challenges and weaknesses that make it inappropriate in the modern-day technological world. For instance, it has short keys of 56 bits while advanced ones have more security attributes and long blocks (Princy, 2015). This issue means that it would apply to different ciphers using the same 56-bit key (Princy, 2015). Due to the nature of this drawback, the security risk of DES has continued to increase significantly. Although this technology lacks design or functional flaws, it remains inadequate in providing the relevant defense against hacking, replication, or unauthorized access. This challenge exists because it relies on short keys (Princy, 2015). The division of the plaintext block becomes another aspect that makes the DES system insecure.

In terms of performance, the encryption model is fast but incapable of maximizing protection. Users have been focusing on this gap to consider or introduce a superior system of encryption that is capable of delivering positive results (Hameed et al., 2018). Using the total cost of ownership (TCO), it is quite clear that the buyer or user of DES will be unable to get value for money after installing it for data privacy. The reasoning behind this argument is that the chances of unauthorized access increases significantly (Princy, 2015). The cost of deployment (COD) guides companies to understand the connection between a specific system and the overall ability to provide long-term financial gains (Princy, 2015). The DES encryption technology might have a low COD in comparison with modern systems, such as the Advanced Encryption System (AES). Finally, those who want to implement the DES model in their systems will be disadvantaged because more companies and institutions are pursuing superior methods to support data decryption and encryption.

Opportunities

The nature of DES technology means that it presents various opportunities to those who rely on it for security purposes. The first outstanding one is that workers or employees would require additional training to be able to utilize it successfully and pursue their outlined organizational goals. The second opportunity is that more companies and institutions can capitalize on it to safeguard data without incurring unnecessary expenses (Patil et al., 2016). The third possible consideration is that many agencies or firms that rely on this technology will have to establish the right infrastructure. This achievement can prepare them for additional changes or replacements in the future. Such organizations will not spend more financial resources trying to acquire new systems to support the superior data encryption, innovation model. The fourth outstanding opportunity is that DES would still be relevant for emerging businesses and small firms shortly (Hameed et al., 2018). The ease of implementation, the reduced cost, and the ability to provide the intended security measures explain why such a prospect exists. Additionally, business organizations planning to sell their systems would encounter minimum challenges. Such an outcome is possible since DES remains applicable and recognizable in a wide range of industries or sectors across the globe.

Threats

Modern technologies and innovations have been changing very fast due to the power of research and development (R&D). DES has continued to suffer a similar fate as more companies and users continue to consider emerging systems that can provide the best security. The weaknesses associated with it have led to the innovation and implementation of the AES. The use of 56 bits keys makes it vulnerable and ineffective for confidential data. Hackers, phishers, and programmers can break or access it much faster. The leading security issues include: easy to compromise, weak block, and brute-force attacks (Patil et al., 2016). The major legal concern is that firms that implement DES stand a chance to be sued if hackers access private data and use it for malicious purposes.

Additionally, the established data privacy standards in many regions no longer recognize DES as an effective system (Alemami et al., 2019). Such a gap explains why many countries have gone further to consider the effectiveness of the AES system (Sivakumar et al., 2017). This trend is possible since AES has better features and is incapable of being breached (see Figure 1). This encryption method encounters numerous deployment concerns since a smaller number of businesses and organizations rely on it (Patil et al., 2016). This gap makes it impossible for users to link their systems and achieve their goals. Due to the nature of this threat, many individuals and leaders have been keen to identify and implement advanced encryption systems that can be deployed at the international level.

Summary: SWOT Analysis

STRENGTHS

  1. The 56 bits key remains relatively secure
  2. DES has no functional problems or challenges
  3. Hackers would take a long to gain entry into a given system or database
  4. It can be upgraded or improved to Triple-DES
  5. It remains affordable and easy to implement
WEAKNESSES

  1. Short key of 56 bits make it insecure and prone to attacks
  2. DES is a common target for hackers due to the nature of its plaintext block
  3. It fails to provide the intended aims or protection goals
  4. DES does not provide the required or expected value for money
  5. Its COD is extremely unsustainable for emerging companies
  6. The global society is changing or focusing on superior encryption technologies and systems
OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Minimum adoption costs and requirements make it popular
  2. Emerging technologies to improve DES
  3. Emerging businesses that need DES
  4. Existing infrastructure is an opportunity for technological or systems update
Opportunity-Strength (OS) Strategies

  1. Technologists need to rely on the original DES model to develop a superior encryption system that meets the needs of more users (S12, O12).
  2. The new system can be marketed to different certification and standardization agencies to become an acceptable model for the whole world (S45, T345, O34
Opportunity-Weakness (OW) Strategies

  1. Engineers need to use emerging technologies to create a new encryption system with longer bits (O12, W1)
  2. Engineers need to engage in additional research study to improve the integrity of the new encryption system or technology (O2, W36)
  3. The new system can be made available to more firms and users to improve acceptance (O24, W25)
THREATS

  1. Changing technologies
  2. Emergence of AES
  3. Legal challenges from lawsuits
  4. DES vulnerability forces users to consider other solutions
  5. Emerging privacy/encryption requirements or standards
  6. Deployment concerns and gaps
Threat-Strength (TS)Strategies

  1. Technologists need to identify new ways of making the introduced version acceptable by delivering the required security solutions (T34, S12)
  2. A superior marketing strategy and demonstration will make this new version of DES reliable (T6, S3)
Threat-Weakness (TW) Strategies

  1. Stakeholders need to ensure that the launched DES version is capable of providing the desired security levels and while being affordable (T245, W34)

Conclusion

The above discussion has identified DES as a powerful encryption technology that has been in use for decades. While it delivers the intended security measures, it still presents several weaknesses and threats that have led to the introduction and implementation of the AES as the acceptable global standard. The outlined summary can guide different professionals and engineers to focus on the strengths of DES and capitalize on the existing opportunities to develop a superior encryption system that can compete successfully in the market with AES. Such a move will encourage more people to implement the advanced version and eventually achieve the anticipated business goals.

References

  1. Alemami, Y., Mohamed, M. A., & Atiewi, S. (2019). International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 8(2S3), 395-405. Web.
  2. Daimary, A., & Saikia, L. P. (2015). . International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, 6(4), 3507-3509. Web.
  3. Hameed, M. A., Jaber, A. I., Alobaidy, J. M., & Hajer, A. A. (2018). . American Journal of Engineering Research, 7(4), 13-22. Web.
  4. Patil, P., Narayankar, P., Narayan, D. G., & Meena, S. M. (2016). Procedia Computer Science, 78, 617-624. Web.
  5. Princy, P. (2015). International Journal of Computer Science & Engineering Technology, 6(5), 328-331. Web.
  6. Sivakumar, T. K., Sheela, T., Kumar, R., & Ganesan, K. (2017). . International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 12(21), 11365-11373. Web.
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