What is Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)?
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric encryption algorithm established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2001 (NIST). It has been since regarded as a default algorithm for protecting sensitive data and classified information. AES encrypts data in a fixed block size of 128 bits and supports key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits. After the encryption of each block, they are combined to create the final ciphertext. AES is widely used in various applications, including secure communications, data storage, and network security.
How AES Works
AES is a symmetric key algorithm, which means the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt data. It operates on blocks of data using multiple rounds of substitution, permutation, and mixing, ensuring that the original message becomes unreadable without the correct key.
AES supports key sizes of:
- 128 bits
- 192 bits
- 256 bits (the most secure and widely used in modern systems)
Each larger key size increases the number of rounds:
- 10 rounds for 128-bit
- 12 rounds for 192-bit
- 14 rounds for 256-bit
AES vs. Other Encryption Algorithms
Algorithm | Type | Key Length | Security Level | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AES | Symmetric | 128, 192, 256 bits | Strong – modern standard, widely trusted | File encryption, VPNs, secure communications, cloud storage |
DES | Symmetric | 56 bits | Weak – outdated and easily cracked | Legacy systems (deprecated in most secure environments) |
RSA | Asymmetric | 1024, 2048, 4096+ bits | Strong for key exchange and digital signatures | SSL/TLS, secure email, digital signatures |
Blowfish | Symmetric | Variable (up to 448 bits) | Moderate – fast and still secure for some use cases | Legacy applications, embedded systems |
ChaCha20 | Symmetric | 256 bits | Strong – fast and secure even on mobile/IoT | Secure messaging, mobile apps, modern VPNs |
DES was once the standard encryption algorithm, but became vulnerable due to its short key length (56 bits), making it susceptible to brute-force attacks. AES, with its larger key sizes and stronger cryptographic design, replaced DES as the global standard for secure encryption.
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