A method of generating a strong DES cryptographic key that doesn't require checking for parity or weak keys in the resulting key. First, all possible hexadecimal values are generated. Next, all possible two-hexadecimal value combinations are generated, where one of the two-hexadecimal values in a combination has odd parity, and the other even parity. Then, eliminate hexadecimal values E0, 01, F1, FE, 1F, 0E, 1E, and 0F from the list of all possible two-hexadecimal value combinations. Next, arrange each remaining two-hexadecimal value combination once in a user-definable order on a user-definable medium, such that the hexadecimal values alternate even and odd parity . Then, select eight unique two-hexadecimal value combinations on the user-definable medium in a user-definable manner. Lastly, use the selected eight two-hexadecimal value combinations as the DES cryptographic key.