AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard. It is a symmetric encryption algorithm widely used in cryptography and computer security systems. Developed by a team of researchers from Belgium, AES became a government-approved encryption standard in 2001.
As a symmetric encryption algorithm, AES employs a single key for both the encryption and decryption processes. It is designed to be highly secure and efficient, providing confidentiality and integrity to sensitive data. AES operates on fixed block sizes of 128 bits and supports key lengths of 128, 192, and 256 bits. It is considered computationally secure, meaning that it is resistant to brute-force attacks where an attacker tries all possible keys until the correct one is found.
AES performs a series of transformations on the input data through several rounds, each consisting of four consecutive operations: byte substitution, shifting rows, mixing columns, and adding a round key. These operations make AES highly resistant to various types of attacks, including differential and linear cryptanalysis.
Due to its robust security, AES is widely used in many applications, including secure communication protocols, virtual private networks (VPNs), file encryption, and securing sensitive data in databases. It is also used by governments and organizations worldwide to protect classified information. AES has become an essential component of modern cryptography, ensuring secure communication and data privacy in the digital age.
