Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Data Encryption Standard
     
        (DES) The {NBS}'s popular, standard {encryption} algorithm.
        It is a {product cipher} that operates on 64-bit blocks of
        data, using a 56-bit key.  It is defined in {FIPS} 46-1 (1988)
        (which supersedes FIPS 46 (1977)).  DES is identical to the
        {ANSI} standard {Data Encryption Algorithm} (DEA) defined in
        ANSI X3.92-1981.
     
        DES has been implemented in {VLSI}.  {SunOS} provides a des
        command which can make use of DES hardware if fitted.  Neither
        the software nor the hardware are supposed to be distributed
        outside the USA.
     
        {Unix manual pages}: des(1), des(3), des(4).
     
        (1994-12-06)