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Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) is an enhancement of the original Data Encryption Standard (DES) that significantly increases security. The key characteristic that differentiates 3DES from standard DES is the use of a longer key.

In DES, a single key of 56 bits is used for encryption and decryption. However, 3DES applies DES encryption three times with either two or three unique keys, effectively resulting in a key length of 112 or 168 bits. This enhancement makes 3DES more resistant to brute-force attacks compared to standard DES, as the longer key length increases the number of possible key combinations exponentially, thereby improving overall security.

The increased key length is crucial in the context of evolving computing power and the need for stronger encryption methods, which is why 3DES was developed in response to the vulnerabilities identified in traditional DES. It addresses the need for securing sensitive data, reflecting an important advancement in cryptographic practices during its adoption.