scope:

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work. In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Amendment 1 to ISO/IEC 18033-1:2005 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, Subcommittee SC 27, IT Security techniques.

ISO/IEC 18033 specifies encryption systems (ciphers) for the purpose of data confidentiality. The inclusion of ciphers in ISO/IEC 18033 is intended to promote their use as reflecting the current 'state of the art' in encryption techniques.

ISO/IEC 18033-1:2005 is general in nature, and provides definitions that apply in subsequent parts of ISO/IEC 18033. All documents referenced in ISO/IEC 18033-1:2005 are only cited in an informative manner or merely served as bibliographic or background material in its preparation. ISO/IEC 18033-1:2005 does not contain any normative references.

Revised or new documents are continually being prepared by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27, IT Security techniques. Although it is necessary for the technical work to progress speedily, sufficient time is required before the approval stage for discussions, negotiations and resolutions. Thus SC 27 resolved to provide a timely and cost-effective revision for the bibliographic references through Amendment 1 to ISO/IEC 18033-1:2005.