CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

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Master the CREST Practitioner Security Analyst Exam. Prepare with quizzes and comprehensive study guides that include tips and explanations. Excel in your certification journey!

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What is the encryption key size for DES?

128 bits
56 bits
64 bits
192 bits

The correct answer is: 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.