Cyber Security

For decades, encryption has become one of the methods to protect data from cyber attackers. It helps authorized users to securely access and transmit sensitive information, ensuring that only those with the correct keys or credentials can decrypt and access the data.

As a result, in most countries, more than 90% of internet traffic is encrypted, with most companies using SSL certificates.

Among all types of encryption methods, AES encryption stands out as one of the most trusted methods, having been used since its adoption in 2001. AES is renowned for its robust security features and efficiency, making it a preferred choice for protecting sensitive data across various industries and applications.

To gain a deeper understanding of this cybersecurity method, keep reading this article. Let’s get it started!

What Is AES Encryption?

AES, or Advanced Encryption Standard, is a symmetric block cipher used to encrypt and decrypt protected data. It was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to respond to the need for stronger encryption standards to protect sensitive information from cyber threats.

Unlike the older method, which uses a single round of encryption, the AES algorithm ensures data security by employing several rounds of substitution, transposition, and mixing. This approach enhances the complexity of the encryption process, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to compromise the data.

AES works by splitting the data into smaller blocks and applying complex mathematical algorithms. This encrypted form of data is nearly impossible to decode without the proper decryption key, making AES a reliable choice for securing sensitive information in various applications, from government communications to online transactions.

Why Was the AES Encryption Algorithm Necessary?

Before AES encryption existed, there was an algorithm called DES, or Data Encryption Standard algorithm. It’s a type of encryption widely used for securing sensitive data. However, computing power advances made DES easier to crack using brute-force attacks. To address this vulnerability, triple DES was developed. Unfortunately, it was slow and unpopular. As a result, AES was created to replace DES, offering better performance and more robust encryption, as well as improving cybersecurity risk management.

Types of AES

AES comes in various types, each with its own way of operating and different keys. These variations provide different levels of security and performance so users can choose the most suitable option according to their specific requirements.

AES-128

AES-128 uses a 128-bit key length for encryption and decryption, leading to 10 rounds of encryption with approximately 3.4 x 1038 potential combinations. This type has the shortest AES key length, requiring less power, which makes it suitable for application maintenance.

AES-192

This AES type employs a 192-bit key length for encryption and decryption, resulting in 12 rounds of encryption with approximately 6.2 x 1057 potential combinations.

AES-256

This method utilizes a 256-bit key length for encryption and decryption, leading to 14 rounds of encryption with approximately 1.1 x 10^77 potential combinations. With the vast numbers that it can handle, AES-256 is considered the most robust encryption key but requires more computing power.

How Does AES Encryption Work?

AES was developed by NIST to overcome the problem of DES, which could not keep pace with advancing computing capabilities. AES was designed to provide more robust encryption and greater resistance to various attacks.

Like other encryption standards, AES uses a symmetric block cipher to encrypt and decrypt data. What sets AES apart is its encryption method. It encrypts data in smaller blocks and goes through several rounds of encryption to boost security. The number of rounds varies based on the key size: AES-128 uses 10 rounds, AES-192 uses 12 rounds, and AES-256 uses 14 rounds. Each round includes substituting, shifting, mixing, and further encryption, making the message increasingly challenging to decode.

Many experts recommend using AES-128 for typical applications. However, for highly sensitive data, such as government information, AES-192 or AES-256 may be necessary. This is especially true if there are no concerns about the computational resources or the speed of the encryption process.

What Is AES Used For?

Besides replacing DES, AES was initially developed by NIST and the US government to provide high security for their sensitive information. Also, some common uses of AES include:

Password managers

A password manager helps users keep their login credentials safe and organized. It stores passwords securely and can generate strong passwords. However, once it is breached, it could expose all the passwords to a potential password cracker. This is why AES encryption is commonly used in password managers—to make it harder for hackers to access and decipher the password list.

Mobile apps

Most mobile apps store different types of data, such as photos, videos, or messages, to improve user experience. AES encryption is essential for securing this data, ensuring it remains protected from unauthorized access.

VPNs

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is typically used to establish a secure connection over the internet, making the users safely surf the internet and less worry about attacks. As it works by connecting to different servers, AES encryption is often used to ensure that the data transmitted between the user’s device and the VPN server remains secure and protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

AES has played a pivotal role in ensuring the security of individuals’ data. This groundbreaking invention by experts gives us the confidence to navigate the internet and store our data safely. Moreover, it assists developers, governments, and organizations in gaining the trust of their users.

Hopefully, this article broadens your knowledge and perspective of data security and its importance in our increasingly digital world. If you need assistance safeguarding your data, don’t hesitate to contact Fluxgate today!