Twofish Encryption Algorithm: A 128-Bit Block Cipher, The

Cryptologia, Jan 2000 by Kruh, Louis

TWOFISH ENCRYPTION

Bruce Schneier et al. The Twofish Encryption Algorithm: A 128-Bit Block Cipher. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10158-0012 USA. 1999. 186 pp. $49.95 hardbound.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced it is replacing DES (Data Encryption Standard), the most widely used and successful encryption algorithm in the world, with a new algorithm that will be known as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). Currently, 15 proposals are competing to become the nation's new information encryption standard for the 21st century. One of the top five candidates for selection by NIST is Twofish, a code invented by Bruce Schneier and his colleagues.

This book presents all the details about Twofish, from design criteria to every aspect of its anatomy. Meeting all the required NIST standards, Twofish offers a block cipher, a longer key length, larger block size, faster speed, and greater flexibility. Specifically, Twofish is a 128-bit block cipher that accepts a variablelength key up to 256 bits. It works extremely well with large microprocessors, 8-bit smart card microprocessors, and dedicated hardware.

Schneier and his colleagues also provide information on Twofish performance and testing results, step-by-step instructions on how to use it in your systems, and complete source code, in C, for implementing Twofish. There is also a web site where downloadable Twofish source code is available plus updates on the algorithm. .

In addition to learning that the popular children's book by Dr. Seuss, One Fish, Two, Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, played a role in choosing the algorithm's name, this book will enable you to get an early start on using what may be the new Advanced Encryption Standard.