Which encryption standard is banned by DISA STIG?

The correct answer is based on current guidelines set by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG). The 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard) is considered a legacy encryption standard that is increasingly seen as insufficient for modern security needs due to its shorter key lengths and susceptibility to certain types of attacks, such as brute-force attacks.

As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, standards that do not provide adequate security begin to be phased out. DISA STIG explicitly recommends against the use of 3DES, promoting stronger, more secure encryption methods such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). By banning the use of 3DES, DISA seeks to ensure that sensitive data remains protected against vulnerabilities that can be exploited in today's cyber environment.

In contrast, standards like AES and RSA are widely accepted for their strong security profiles. AES is known for its robustness and efficiency, while RSA is commonly used for secure data transmission. Blowfish, although not as mainstream as AES, still offers strong encryption and is not banned by DISA STIG, making the focus on 3DES particularly relevant in maintaining current security practices.