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The International Data Encryption Standard (IDEA) uses a key size of 128 bits. This robust key length offers a high level of security, making it significantly more resistant to brute-force attacks when compared to shorter keys. IDEA was designed to ensure a strong level of encryption, particularly in an era where longer key sizes were becoming increasingly essential for data protection.

The choice of a 128-bit key is also aligned with contemporary encryption standards, which prioritize maintaining security in various applications while still allowing for efficient processing. This key size strikes a balance between encryption strength and computational efficiency, making it suitable for both software and hardware implementations.

Options that suggest shorter key sizes, like 64-bit, or longer key sizes, such as 192-bit or 256-bit, do not apply to IDEA. These sizes pertain to other encryption algorithms. 64-bit keys are now considered weak and insecure due to advances in computing power, while 192-bit and 256-bit keys are typically associated with other encryption methods, such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), rather than IDEA.