Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

NIST has announced that they will finally replace DES with something called the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). They are looking for a 128-bit block cipher that supports keys of 128, 192, and 256 bits.

The official NIST request is here.

Candidates are due by June 15, 1998. They plan to have a candiate conference in summer 1998, and then evaluate all the candidates. It's all explained in the announcement, but it sounds long and complicated.

Hopefully, we will have an AES by the end of the century.

• Counterpane to Submit Twofish Encryption Algorithm for AES
• Schneier's 27 March 97 letter to NIST
• Report and commentary on the 15 April 97 NIST meeting
• Schneier's 26 April 97 letter to NIST
• Why NSA Should Submit an AES Candidate

Schneier.com is a personal website. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of BT.