Page 103 - Cyber Defense eMagazine July 2024

o Reason for Deprecation: DES uses a 56-bit key, which is too short to provide adequate
security against brute-force attacks. Modern computing power can crack DES encryption
relatively quickly.

3DES (Triple DES):

o Reason for Deprecation: While 3DES was designed to improve the security of DES by
applying the DES algorithm three times with different keys, it still has vulnerabilities and is
relatively slow compared to newer algorithms. It also has a shorter effective key length
and is susceptible to certain attacks.

MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm 5):

o Reason for Deprecation: MD5 is a hash function rather than an encryption method, but
it is included here because it is often used in contexts requiring secure hashing. MD5 is
vulnerable to collision attacks, where two different inputs produce the same hash output,
making it unsuitable for cryptographic security.

SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1):

o Reason for Deprecation: Similar to MD5, SHA-1 is a hashing algorithm and has been
found vulnerable to collision attacks. The computational feasibility of these attacks has
rendered SHA-1 insecure for most cryptographic purposes.

RC4 (Rivest Cipher 4):

o Reason for Deprecation: RC4 has several vulnerabilities, including biases in its output
that can be exploited in certain attacks. It is considered weak and is no longer
recommended for use in secure communications.

3. Employ Strong Key Management Practices
o Implement centralized key management systems to securely generate, store, and manage
encryption keys. Ensure that access to encryption keys is tightly controlled and monitored
to prevent unauthorized access.

4. Encrypt All Storage Solutions
o Apply encryption across all storage mediums, including databases, file systems, and
backup storage. For cloud environments, use encryption services offered by the cloud
provider or deploy your own encryption solutions.

5. Regularly Update and Audit Systems
o Keep encryption software, operating systems, and hardware security modules updated
with the latest patches. Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with security policies
and identify potential vulnerabilities.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – July 2024 Edition 103
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