Block Cipher Encryption Method

Block CipherBlock Cipher is an encryption method where the encryption algorithm operates on a plaintext block of n bits and produces a block of n bits ciphertext. Block Cipher has 2^n possible different plaintext block to encrypt. Nonsingular Transformation:Nonsingular Transformation means the encryption algorithm must be reversible (Nonsingular) to decrypt the ciphertext into the original plaintext. The ciphertext must be unique for each plaintext block. Example:Encryption Block Cipher with a plaintext block length n=4 bits and ciphertext, with 2^4=16 possible input states.plaintext | Ciphertext0000          01010001          01110010          10010011          00000100          11000101          01100110          10100111          00111000          10111001          10001010          00101011          11111100          11101101          00011110          01001111          1101 This example has 16 possible input states, with a Nonsingular transformation (as you can see in the next table.)Ciphertext | Plaintext0000          00110001          11010010          10100011          01110100          11100101          00000110          01010111          00011000          10011001          00101010          01101011          10001100          01001101          11111110          11001111          1011This algorithm is reversible (Nonsingular).There's a problem with a small block size n in that this system is vulnerable to statistical analysis. Yet, if n is large enough, the statistical analysis will be much harder.Also, it's not practical to establish a large enough reversible substitution cipher (the ideal block cipher). The solution to this problem is Feistel Cipher: Feistel Cipher:Feistel proposed that we can approximate the ideal block cipher system for large n, built up by components that are easily realizable. This is the execution of 2 or more simple ciphers in sequence and the result is a strong encryption.The required form of this approach is to develop a block cipher with a key length = k bits, and a block length = n bits with a total possible transformation = 2^k rather than 2^n. Feistel Structure:

Feistel Cipher consists of a number of identical rounds of processing. In each round, a substitution is preformed on one half of data being processed followed by a permutation that interchanges the two halves. The original key is expanded so that a different key is used for each round.

image courtesy of Amirki 

 Feistel Encryption Algorithm:The Feistel Encryption Algorithm (the left hand side): inputs to a encryption algorithm are a plaintext block of length - 2w bits and key K.The plaintext is divided into two halves Lo and Ro, which pass through n rounds of processing. Each round i has inputs - Li-1 and Ri-1. Then, they're combined to produce the ciphertext block.The subkey Ki is derived from the overall K; Ki is different from K and from each other. Feistel Cipher actually performs two operations:1- A substitution is performed on the left half of data by applying a round function F to the right half of data, then by doing XOR the output of round function F with the left half of data.The round function F has the same structure every round, but there's a change in parameter subkey Ki for each round.2- A permutation is performed, which consists of interchanges on the two halves of data.Feistel Cipher structure is form of substitution permutation network (SPN). Feistel Decryption Algorithm:Feistel Decryption Algorithm (the right hand side): inputs to decryption algorithm are ciphertext and subkey Ki but in reverse order. It starts start with Kn then Kn-1 ans so on until K1 in the last round.Note#1: At every round the value of encryption algorithm is equal to the corresponding value(n-ith) of decryption algorithm, but the two halves are swapped.For example, in a system with 16 rounds, the value of 5th round in encryption algorithm is equal to the value of 12th round of decryption algorithm, but L and R are swapped.Note#2: The round function F is not required to be a reversible function. Feistel Cipher Parameters and Design Features:1- Block size: Large block size means greater, but reduced encryption and decryption speed.2- Key size: Large key size mean greater security, but may also reduce the encryption and decryption speed.3- Number of rounds: Increasing security can be achieved by increasing the number of rounds.4- Round Function F: Increasing the complexity of round function F increasing the resistance to cryptanalysis.5- Subkey generation algorithm: Increasing of complexity here also increases the resistance to cryptanalysis. Thanks and I hope this was useful to you!