When creating a public / private key pair, for which of the following ciphers would a user need to specify the key strength?
A.
SHA
B.
AES
C.
DES
D.
RSA
Explanation:
RSA (an asymmetric algorithm) uses keys of a minimum length of 2048 bits.
Incorrect Answers:
A: The Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) was designed to ensure the integrity of a message. SHA is a one-way hash that provides a hash value that can be used with
an encryption protocol. This algorithm produces a 160-bit hash value.
B: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) has replaced DES as the current standard, and it uses the Rijndael algorithm. It was developed by Joan Daemen and
Vincent Rijmen. AES is the current product used by U.S. governmental agencies. It supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits, with 128 bits being the default.
C: The Data Encryption Standard (DES) has been used since the mid-1970s. It was the primary standard used in government and industry until it was replaced by
AES. It’s based on a 56-bit key and has several modes that offer security and integrity.Dulaney, Emmett and Chuck Eastton, CompTIA Security+ Study Guide, Sixth Edition, Sybex, Indianapolis, 2014, pp 250, 251, 255-256