International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA)


The International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA) is a symmetric block cipher using a 64-bit block size and 128-bit keys.

  • first proposed by James Massey and Xuijia Lai in 1991
    • intended as a proposed replacement for DES
  • consists of:
    • 8 rounds of
      • bitwise XORs
      • addition module
      • multiplication modulo
    • a “half round” of output transformation and swap
  • only successful attack in 2012
    • demonstrated effective reduction in cryptographic strength of about two bits (from 128 to 126-bits or, to
    • practically, does not reduce security of the IDEA algorithm in use if properly implemented
  • concern of proper implementation is regarding weak keys
    • keys that have long repeating stretches of 0 or 1 bits
  • became freely available as reference design in 2011