The archival representation of a 64-bit value expressed in hexadecimal notation as 16 ASCII characters from the set of characters (0..9, A..F). The 64-bit value is used as a starting point for encryption of a data sequence to increase security by introducing cryptographic variance and to synchronize cryptographic equipment. A new IV shall be used for each message. The IV shall not be intentionally reused. The 64-bit binary value, not its ASCII hexadecimal representation, is used for the cryptographic process. In the interchange process, the resultant encrypted and filtered 64-bit IV is sent. The hexadecimal notation is the representation for archiving purposes. The IV shall be a random or pseudo-random number. When encrypted, the IV shall be decrypted using the Electronic Code Book (ECB) mode, and the same key that was used to encrypt the message.