A process to develop a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) for Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) specifying an Advanced Encryption Algorithm (AEA) has been initiated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Earlier this year, candidate algorithms were nominated to NIST for consideration for inclusion in the AES. Those candidate algorithms meeting the minimum acceptability criteria have been announced by NIST and are available electronically at the address listed below.

This notice solicits comments on the candidate algorithms from the public, and academic and research communities, manufacturers, voluntary standards organizations, and Federal, state, and local government organizations. These comments will assist NIST in narrowing the field of AES candidates to five or fewer for more detailed examination. It is intended that the AES will specify an unclassified, publicly disclosed encryption algorithm available royalty-free worldwide that is capable of protecting sensitive government information well into the next century.

Public comments are due April 15, 1999.