This International Standard specifies a method of using a key and an n-bit block cipher algorithm to calculate an m-bit cryptographic check value. This method can be used as a data integrity mechanism to detect that data has not been altered in an unauthorised manner. The strength of the data integrity mechanism is dependent on the key length and its secrecy, on the nature of the cryptographic algorithm, and on m, the length of the check value.
This International Standard can be applied to the se-curity services of any security architecture, process, or application.