FIPS PUB 46

FIPS PUB 46, also known as the Data Encryption Standard (DES), is a U.S. government guideline that specifies a method for encrypting sensitive information to protect its confidentiality. It uses an algorithm to convert readable data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with a secret key. This standard was widely adopted for secure communication and data protection, especially in government and financial sectors, to ensure that sensitive information remains private during transmission and storage.