Implementation of this standard-

This standard became efficient July 1977. It was reaffirmed in 1983, 1988, and 1993. It applies to all Federal agencies, contractors of Federal agencies, or other organizations that process information (telecommunications system or using a computer) on behalf of the Federal Government to complete a Federal function. Every Federal agency or section may issue interior directives for the use of this standard by their operating units based on their data security requisite determinations. FIPS 46-2 which revises the accomplishment of the Data Encryption Algorithm to contain firmware, hardware, software, or any combination thereof, is effective June 30, 1994. This revised standard may be used in the interim period previous to the effective date.