For this discussion, imagine yourself as the CIO of an engineering and software development company that has federal, military, and civilian customers. You must ensure that all your company's information, as well as data exchanged with your customers, is properly encrypted using known, accepted standards.

Select the encryption component from a major standard, such as NIST, ANSI, IEEE, IETF, or ISO, for your company.

Describe the encryption component of the standard, its pros and cons, and justify your selection.

Discuss whether you would communicate with your customers using an asymmetric or symmetric algorithm, and why, and rationalize the type of algorithm you would use, such as RSA or DES.

After reading a few of your classmate's postings, reply to those from which you learned something new or to which you have something constructive to add. For example:

Discuss what you learned.

Ask probing questions or seek clarification.

Explain why you agree or disagree with your classmate's main points, assertions, assumptions, or conclusions.

Suggest research strategies or specific resources on the topic.

Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates' postings. Join the discussion early and post often.