CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice 2025 - Free CPSA Practice Questions and Study Guide

Image Description

Question: 1 / 485

What is the encryption key size for DES?

128 bits

56 bits

The encryption key size for DES, or Data Encryption Standard, is specifically 56 bits. This symmetric-key algorithm was widely used for data encryption from the late 1970s and remained popular for many years. DES processes data in 64-bit blocks, but the actual key used to encrypt and decrypt the data is 56 bits long.

This relatively short key length is one of the reasons why DES has fallen out of favor over time, as advances in computational power have made it susceptible to brute-force attacks, where an attacker tries every possible key to decrypt data. Consequently, newer and more secure algorithms, such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), have replaced DES in many applications.

Understanding the key size is crucial as it directly impacts the security strength of the encryption, and knowing that DES uses a 56-bit key helps to underline the importance of key length in cryptographic practices.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

64 bits

192 bits

Next Question

Report this question

Download CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice PDF Study Guide
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy