In an NCMF #CyberChat on 2 December 2020, Dr. Whitfield "Whit" Diffie will join us for a discussion about how the original Data Encryption Standard was established. Whit's innovative work in computer and internet security has enhanced the security of all users – government and civilian alike. His research at university facilities and private laboratories led the way in computer security theory and in practical applications. Whit serves as an NCMF Board Member and is a 2020 NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor Inductee. We are honored to have him join us for this interesting and relevant discussion. The talk will take place at 1pm EST via our Nepris online classroom. Please register ahead of time to join us live. For those who cannot attend, a recording will become available at a later date. Get more details via the link below.

Whit's conversation with us for the December #CyberChat will focus on discussion about the Data Encryption Standard, an early tool used to protect our data. Encryption can help protect data you send, receive, and store using your phone, tablet, or laptop. The U.S. government established DES as the standard in 1977, and it remained our standard until advances in technology made DES obsolete. Encryption remains a tool to protect our data; however, Advanced Encryption Standard or AES is now the standard.

Learn more about Dr. Diffie via his A.M Turing Award bio page (see link below), and via the ACM A.M Turing Award video about Dr. Diffie and Martin E. Hellman. You can also learn more about the Cryptologic Hall of Honor via the link below.