[Isabelle Tubbs]

Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) is a type of symmetric block cipher. A block cipher means the data is being encrypted in blocks, similar to picking up stacks of boxes at a time rather than picking up each individual box.

The term symmetric is referring to it using a symmetric key, which is essentially like having a shared key to a house. A house key involves using the same type of key to lock and unlock the house. Symmetric keys are used for both hiding the message of data from others (locking the house) and showing the data (unlocking the house). Triple DES uses two or three different keys to implement three rounds of encryption. This is similar to having a few locks on a door that must require a different key for each lock, but each key can both lock and unlock the door regardless. With the technology of 3DES, there are different modes, but they all essentially add that increased level of encryption to better protect the data just like someone might want more protection for their door.