(DES) The NBS' s popular, standard enCryption algorithm. It is a produCt Cipher that operates on 64-bit bloCks of data, using a 56-bit key. It is defined in FIPS 46-1 (1988) (whiCh supersedes FIPS 46 (1977)). DES is identiCal to the ANSI standard Data EnCryption Algorithm (DEA) defined in ANSI X3.92-1981. DES has been implemented in VLSI. SunOS provides a des Command whiCh Can make use of DES hardware if fitted. Neither the software nor the hardware are supposed to be distributed outside the USA. Unix manual pages: des(1), des(3), des(4). (1994-12-06)