All,

I would like to share what Hugo Krawczyk, one of IBM's cryptographers has shared with me.
<<
The 256-strength suite is total overkill.
There is no need to use AES with 256-bit key today or SHA-512.
Of course, the 128-bit suite may be broken next month (or in 5 years) but the same is possible
for the 256-bit suite. Actually, who said 500-bit EC will not turn out to have only 128 bit of security in a
breakthrough cryptanalysis in 5-10 years (or next month)?

Given the information we have today, the 128-bit suite is good enough for almost all commercial applications.
If you need security of your data for the next 50 years you may consider going to a stronger suite, but then
(again) who said that the 256-bit will suffice? (for 50 year security I recommend sending it inside a physical safe :)

The only reason I see now for going for a 256-bit suite is to promote ECC.
That may or may not be a good idea, but it should be clear that that's the only relevant reason for this suite.

Hugo
>>

Thanks,

Kevin D. Butt
SCSI & Fibre Channel Architect, Tape Firmware
MS 6TYA, 9000 S. Rita Rd., Tucson, AZ 85744
Tel: 520-799-2869 / 520-799-5280
Fax: 520-799-2723 (T/L:321)
Email address: kdbutt@us.ibm.com
http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/storage/



Ralph Weber <roweber@IEEE.org>
Sent by: owner-t10@t10.org

09/12/2007 07:25 PM

To
"'t10@t10.org'" <t10@t10.org>
cc
Subject
256-bit vs 512-bit strength security





* From the T10 Reflector (t10@t10.org), posted by:
* Ralph Weber <roweber@ieee.org>
*
Reminder:

On Wednesday afternoon in Vancouver, you will be asked
to vote your company's position on a choice between
mandating 256-bit strength security or 512-bit strength
security in SPC-4.

If you do not yet know your company's position,
now would be a good time to start asking some
embarrassing questions.

All the best,

.Ralph

*
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