What is IDEA?
IDEA uses a block cipher with a block size of 64 bits and a key size of 128
bits. It uses a series of mathematical operations, including modular
arithmetic, bit shifting, and exclusive OR (XOR) operations, to transform the
plaintext into ciphertext. The cipher is designed to be highly secure and
resistant to various types of attacks, including differential and linear
cryptanalysis. One of the strengths of IDEA is its efficient implementation in
software and hardware. The algorithm is relatively fast and requires only a
small amount of memory and processing power. This makes it a popular
choice for use in embedded systems and other applications where resources
are limited.
IDEA has been widely used in various encryption applications, although it
has been largely replaced by newer encryption algorithms such as AES
(Advanced Encryption Standard ) in recent years. However, IDEA is still
considered to be a highly secure and effective encryption algorithm, and it
continues to be used in some legacy systems and applications.
Historical Background of the International Data
Encryption Algorithm (IDEA)
Development and Significance
IDEA was first introduced in 1991 by James Massey and Xuejia Lai as a
replacement for the Data Encryption Standard (DES). It was designed to
address the growing concerns about the security of DES, particularly its
relatively short key length.
Key Contributions and Innovations
IDEA introduced several innovative features:
Introduction of a 128-bit key length, revolutionary for its time.
Novel combination of three algebraic groups: XOR, addition modulo 2^16,
and multiplication modulo 2^16+1.
Pioneering resistance to then-known cryptanalytic attacks .
Implementation efficiency in both software and hardware platforms.
Overview of Simplified International Data Encryption
Algorithm (IDEA)
The Simplified IDEA presented here is a modified version of the original
algorithm, designed for educational purposes. While it maintains the core
principles of IDEA, it uses smaller block and key sizes to simplify
understanding and implementation.
Block Cipher Structure
The Simplified International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA) is
a symmetric key block cipher that:
Plaintext block size: 16 bits (divided into 4-bit chunks)
Key length: 32 bits
Output: 16-bit ciphertext
Processing: Four complete rounds plus one half-round
Subkey Generation Process
Initial key division into eight 4-bit subkeys.
Key schedule generation through left rotation.
Production of 28 subkeys (24 for complete rounds, 4 for half-round).
Systematic distribution across rounds.
Overview of Rounds and Operations
Each complete round consists of:
14 distinct steps using three core operations
Systematic transformation of data blocks
Inter-round data swapping
Final half-round with 4 operations
Mathematical Foundations
Core Operations:
1. Bitwise XOR (^)
2. Addition modulo 2^4 (+)
3. Multiplication modulo (2^4+1) (*)
Key Mathematical Properties:
Use of algebraic groups with complementary properties
Exploitation of modular arithmetic for confusion
Implementation of systematic diffusion through operation mixing
Example Implementation:
1. Initial key expansion
2. Plaintext division into blocks
3. Round function application:
Multiplication and addition operations
XOR combinations
Inter-round transformations
4. Final half-round processing
5. Ciphertext generation
Applications and Use Cases
1. Secure Communications
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Encrypted messaging systems
Secure email protocols
2. Data Protection
File encryption
Database security
Storage encryption
3. Financial Security
Electronic payment systems
Banking applications
Transaction security
Limitations and Challenges
1. Fixed block size constraints
2. Key schedule complexity
3. Implementation considerations in resource-constrained environments
Security Considerations
1. Theoretical vulnerabilities to specific attack vectors
2. Key management challenges
3. Integration complexities with modern systems
Detailed Algorithm Implementation and Round
Operations
This algorithm involves a series of 4 identical complete rounds and 1 half-
round. Each complete round involves a series of 14 steps that includes
operations like:
Bitwise XOR
Addition modulo (24)(24)
Multiplication modulo (24) (24) +1
After 4 complete rounds, the final "half-round" consists of only the first 4 out
of the 14 steps previously used in the full rounds. To perform these rounds,
each binary notation must be converted to its equivalent decimal notation,
perform the operation and the result obtained should be converted back to
the binary representation for the final result of that particular step.
Key Schedule: 6 subkeys of 4 bits out of the 8 subkeys are used in each
complete round, while 4 are used in the half-round. So, 4.5 rounds require 28
subkeys. The given key, 'K', directly gives the first 8 subkeys. By rotating the
main key left by 6 bits between each group of 8, further groups of 8 subkeys
are created, implying less than one rotation per round for the key (3
rotations).
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6
Round 1 1101 1100 0110 1111 0011 1111
Round 2 0101 1001* 0001 1011 1100 1111
Round 3 1101 0110 0111 0111* 1111 0011
Round 4 1111 0101 1001 1101 1100 0110*
Round 4.5 1111 1101 0110 0111
* denotes a shift of bits
Notations used in the 14 steps:
Symbol Operation
* Multiplication modulo (24) (24) +1
Symbol Operation
+ Addition modulo (24)(24)
^ Bitwise XOR
The 16-bit plaintext can be represented as X1 || X2 || X3 || X4, each of size 4
bits. The 32-bit key is broken into 8 subkeys denoted as K1 || K2 || K3 || K4 ||
K5 || K6 || K7 || K8, again of size 4 bits each. Each round of 14 steps uses
the three algebraic operation-Addition modulo (2^4), Multiplication modulo
(2^4)+1 and Bitwise XOR. The steps involved are as follows:
1. X1 * K1
2. X2 + K2
3. X3 + K3
4. X4 * K4
5. Step 1 ^ Step 3
6. Step 2 ^ Step 4
7. Step 5 * K5
8. Step 6 + Step 7
9. Step 8 * K6
10. Step 7 + Step 9
11. Step 1 ^ Step 9
12. Step 3 ^ Step 9
13. Step 2 ^ Step 10
14. Step 4 ^ Step 10
The input to the next round is Step 11 || Step 13 || Step 12 || Step 14, which
becomes X1 || X2 || X3 || X4. This swap between 12 and 13 takes place after
each complete round, except the last complete round (4th round), where the
input to the final half round is Step 11 || Step 12 || Step 13 || Step 14.
After last complete round, the half-round is as follows:
1. X1 * K1
2. X2 + K2
3. X3 + K3
4. X4 * K4
The final output is obtained by concatenating the blocks.
Example:
Key: 1101 1100 0110 1111 0011 1111 0101 1001
Plaintext: 1001 1100 1010 1100
Ciphertext: 1011 1011 0100 1011
Explanation:
The explanation is only for 1st complete round (the remaining can be
implemented similarly) and the last half-round.
Round 1:
o From the plaintext: X1 - 1001, X2 - 1100, X3 - 1010, X4 - 1100
o From the table above: K1 - 1101, K2 - 1100, K3 - 0110, K4 -
1111, K5 - 0011, K6 - 1111
(1001(9) * 1101(13))(mod 17) = 1111(15)
(1100(12) + 1100(12))(mod 16) = 1000(8)
(1010(10) + 0110(6))(mod 16) = 0000(0)
(1100(12) * 1111(15))(mod 17) = 1010(10)
(1111(15) ^ 0000(0)) = 1111(15)
(1000(8) ^ 1010(10)) = 0010(2)
(1111(15) * 0011(3))(mod 17) = 1011(11)
(0010(2) + 1011(11))(mod 16) = 1101(13)
(1101(13) * 1111(15))(mod 17) = 1000(8)
(1011(11) + 1000(8))(mod 16) = 0011(3)
(1000(8) ^ 1111(15)) = 0111(7)
(1000(8) ^ 0000(0)) = 1000(8)
(0011(3) ^ 1000(8)) = 1011(11)
(0011(3) ^ 1010(10)) = 1001(9)
Round 1 Output: 0111 1011 1000 1001 (Step 12 and Step 13 results are
interchanged)
Round 2:
o From Round 1 output: X1 - 0111, X2 - 1011, X3 - 1000, X4 -
1001
o From the table above: K1 - 0101, K2 - 1001, K3 - 0001, K4 -
1011, K5 - 1100, K6 - 1111
o Round 2 Output: 0110 0110 1110 1100 (Step 12 and Step 13
results are interchanged)
Round 3:
o From Round 2 Output: X1 - 0110, X2 - 0110, X3 - 1110, X4 -
1100
o From the table above: K1 - 1101, K2 - 0110, K3 - 0111, K4 -
0111, K5 - 1111, K6 - 0011
o Round 3 Output: 0100 1110 1011 0010 (Step 12 and Step 13
results are interchanged)
Round 4:
o From Round 3 Output: X1 - 0100, X2 - 1110, X3 - 1011, X4 -
0010
o From the table above: K1 - 1111, K2 - 0101, K3 - 1001, K4 -
1101, K5 - 1100, K6 - 0110
o Round 4 Output: 0011 1110 1110 0100 (Step 12 and Step 13
results are interchanged)
Round 4.5:
o From Round 4 Output: X1 - 0011, X2 - 1110, X3 - 1110, X4 -
0100
o From the table above: K1 - 1111, K2 - 1101, K3 - 0110, K4 -
0111
o Round 4.5 Output: 1011 1011 0100 1011 (Step 2 and Step 3
results are not interchanged)
(0011(3) * 1111(15))(mod 17) = 1011(11)
(1110(14) + 1101(13))(mod 16) = 1011(11)
(1110(14) + 0110(6))(mod 16) = 0100(4)
(0100(4) * 0111(7))(mod 17) = 1011(11)
Final Ciphertext is 1011 1011 0100 1011
NOTE: For every round except the final transformation, a swap occurs,
and the input is given to the next round
Uses of International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA)
Some of the common uses of IDEA include:
1. Secure communication: IDEA can be used to encrypt data transmitted
over communication networks such as the internet, providing
confidentiality and protecting against unauthorized access.
2. Financial transactions: IDEA can be used to secure financial
transactions such as online banking and credit card transactions, helping
to prevent identity theft and fraud.
3. Electronic voting systems: IDEA can be used to encrypt votes in
electronic voting systems, providing secure and confidential voting.
4. File encryption: IDEA can be used to encrypt files and folders on a
computer or other storage device, protecting them from unauthorized
access.
5. Password protection: IDEA can be used to encrypt passwords and other
sensitive information stored on a computer or network, helping to prevent
unauthorized access and data breaches.
Issues in International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA)
1. Key size: While IDEA uses a 128-bit key size, which is generally
considered secure, it is still theoretically possible to brute-force the key if
an attacker has enough computing power. This is why longer key sizes
are often used in modern encryption algorithms.
2. Patents: IDEA was originally patented, which limited its availability and
adoption in certain countries. While the patent has since expired, this
could still be a consideration for some organizations.
3. Block size: IDEA has a fixed block size of 64 bits, which can limit its
effectiveness in certain applications where larger block sizes are required.
4. Implementation issues: Like any encryption algorithm, IDEA can be
vulnerable to implementation issues such as side-channel attacks or
implementation flaws. This highlights the importance of using best
practices and careful implementation when using any encryption
algorithm.
5. Availability: While IDEA is still considered to be a strong and effective
encryption algorithm, it has been largely replaced by newer algorithms
such as AES in modern applications. This means that support and
availability of IDEA implementations may become more limited over time
