RACF® provides two algorithms for authenticating passwords and password phrases: the masking algorithm and the Data Encryption Standard (DES) algorithm. The masking algorithm is the original algorithm provided with RACF. The RACF DES algorithm provides a higher level of security than the masking algorithm. The DES algorithm is the default algorithm when you install RACF on your system.

Guideline: Use the DES algorithm.

The DES algorithm is identified in the Federal Information Processing Standard 46-1 of the Computer Systems Laboratory in Gaithersburg, Maryland, of the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the United States Government. DES is accepted as a national and international standard.