The Twofish Encryption Algorithm: A 128-Bit Block Cipher [Hardcover]

John Kelsey (Author), Doug Whiting (Author), David Wagner (Author), Niels Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471353817 | ISBN-13: 978-0471353812 | Publication Date: March 22, 1999 | Edition: 1

The first and only guide to one of today's most important new cryptography algorithms The Twofish Encryption Algorithm A symmetric block cipher that accepts keys of any length, up to 256 bits, Twofish is among the new encryption algorithms being considered by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) as a replacement for the DES algorithm. Highly secure and flexible, Twofish works extremely well with large microprocessors, 8-bit smart card microprocessors, and dedicated hardware. Now from the team who developed Twofish, this book provides you with your first detailed look at:
* All aspects of Twofish's design and anatomy
* Twofish performance and testing results
* Step-by-step instructions on how to use it in your systems
* Complete source code, in C, for implementing Twofish
On the companion Web site you'll find:
* A direct link to Counterpane Systems for updates on Twofish
* A link to the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) for ongoing information about the competing technologies being considered for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for the next millennium
For updates on Twofish and the AES process, visit these sites:
* www.wiley.com/compbooks/schneier
* www.counterpane.com
* www.nist.gov/aes
Wiley Computer Publishing Timely.Practical.Reliable Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/ Visit the companion Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/schneier

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The first and only guide to one of today's most important new cryptography algorithms The Twofish Encryption Algorithm A symmetric block cipher that accepts keys of any length, up to 256 bits, Twofish is among the new encryption algorithms being considered by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) as a replacement for the DES algorithm. Highly secure and flexible, Twofish works extremely well with large microprocessors, 8-bit smart card microprocessors, and dedicated hardware. Now from the team who developed Twofish, this book provides you with your first detailed look at:
* All aspects of Twofish's design and anatomy
* Twofish performance and testing results
* Step-by-step instructions on how to use it in your systems
* Complete source code, in C, for implementing Twofish
On the companion Web site you'll find:
* A direct link to Counterpane Systems for updates on Twofish
* A link to the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) for ongoing information about the competing technologies being considered for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for the next millennium
For updates on Twofish and the AES process, visit these sites:
* www.wiley.com/compbooks/schneier
* www.counterpane.com
* www.nist.gov/aes
Wiley Computer Publishing Timely.Practical.Reliable Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/ Visit the companion Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/schneier

About the Author

BRUCE SCHNEIER is President of Counterpane Systems, a worldwide cryptography and information security consulting firm. A world-renowned expert on computer cryptography, Mr. Schneier is the inventor of Blowfish, a cryptography method built into more than 100 commercial products which continues unbroken. He is also the author of the bestselling Applied Cryptography (also available from Wiley). JOHN KELSEY, DAVID WAGNER, CHRIS HALL, and NIELS FERGUSON are well-known cryptographers and Counterpane consultants. DOUG WHITING is a security scientist with Hi/fn, a company specializing in compression technology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471353817
• ISBN-13: 978-0471353812
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,300,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bruce Schneier is the go-to security expert for business leaders and policy makers. His breakthrough book Applied Cryptography (1994, 1998) explained how the arcane science of secret codes actually works, and was described by Wired as "the book the National Security Agency wanted never to be published." His business-oriented bestseller Secrets and Lies (2000) was called by Fortune "[a] jewel box of little surprises you can actually use." Best known as a refreshingly candid and lucid security critic and commentator, he has appeared in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as on NPR, CNN, and the major networks. He has also testified on security before the United States Congress.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Official Discription by the people that developed it., April 7, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Twofish Encryption Algorithm: A 128-Bit Block Cipher (Hardcover)

This is the official discription of the Twofish encryption algorithm by the people that developed it. The book gives the direct discription of what they have done, *PLUS* the reasons behind the choices that they made, and the considerations that were involved. The book has a readable style, and covers this algorithm in greater detail than I've ever seen one covered before. This book is a must for anyone planning to implement the algorithm.

This book assumes that you know something of Cryptography, it would not be a good introduction to that topic. (However the main author's book "Applied Cryptography" serves that function well)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating to a limited audience, July 13, 2002

By 

Harry Pandolfino (York, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Twofish Encryption Algorithm: A 128-Bit Block Cipher (Hardcover)

Bruce Schneier is the Yoda of crpytography and information security, if you've heard him there's no need to ask anyone else. This book would probably only appeal to the genuinely avid crypto fan, its Greek to anyone else. It is a thorough exposition of the making of the Twofish cypher, the latest attempt to secure information as absolutely as possible. You must be well versed in cryptography to get anything out of the work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A important book to decipher, June 27, 2002

By 

Pedro (V.N.Gaia Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twofish Encryption Algorithm: A 128-Bit Block Cipher (Hardcover)

This book is not a how-to-do thing. You will learn why this cypher was created, how it was created it all the details. Not an introductory book. But very worth to who ever want to enter modern applied cryptographic field.