Definition
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a popular symmetric encryption method to protect data in transit and at rest. It has become the market standard for encrypting and decrypting data because of its security, speed, and efficiency. In addition, the encryption functions using fixed number bits, i.e., 128, 192, or 256, in both the key and block size, where the larger key sizes offer more solid security.
AES Encryption Examples
- AES-128: The minimum key size in AES encryption is 128-bit keys and 10 encryption rounds. It is considered sufficient, fast and secure but offers lower protection than other key sizes.
- AES-192: A medium-sized key of 192-bit keys with 12 encryption rounds. It has a balanced security level and speed.
- AES-256: The largest size key in AES encryption that provides 256-bit keys and encryption of 14 rounds. Besides, it is considered to have the highest level of security, thus ideal for highly sensitive data.
Pros and Cons of AES Encryption
Pros
- Quick and effective encryption.
- Broadly embraced and trusted because of its robust security.
- Ideal for several applications, such as Wi-Fi networks, file encryption, and VPNs.
Cons
- It is vulnerable to brute force attacks but requires substantial time and resources.
- Likely to face vulnerabilities if not implemented appropriately.
Tips for Utilizing AES Encryption
- Make sure the encryption is implemented correctly to avoid exposures.
- Employ AES-256 for highly sensitive data that needs an extreme level of protection.
- Use a reliable VPN service with AES-256 encryption to safeguard your internet connection.
How AES Encryption Works
- Division and expansion: The encryption starts by breaking down the message’s plaintext into blocks of bits and rows, which are expanded through the AES key schedule. This process adds an encryption key, also called a round key.
- Substitution: In this step, the operation replaces the plaintext with encrypted text from some pre-specified table known as the Rijndael S-box.
- Shifting: Except for the first row, all the other rows of the newly encrypted text are altered by one position.
- Mixing: Encrypted and shifted rows are mixed further to prevent unpermitted users or hackers from easily reversing them back to their original location.
- Round key: The data is encrypted again with the round key generated in the first step.
- Repeat: This process is repeated several times according to the type of AES.
AES Encryption Key Features
- SP network: AES functions on an SP network structure instead of a Feistel cipher structure like the DES algorithm.
- Byte data: The AES algorithm operates on byte data rather than bit data. Therefore, it treats the 128-bit block sizes as 16 bytes during encryption.
- Key expansion: The encryption takes a single key up during the first stage and later expands to several keys employed in individual rounds.
- Key length: The number of rounds to be carried out varies according to the length of the key used to encrypt data. A 128-bit key size has 10 rounds, the 192-bit key size has 12 rounds, and the 256-bit key size has 14 rounds.
AES Encryption Application
- Wireless security: AES safeguards wireless networks, like Wi-Fi networks, from unauthorized access.
- Database encryption: This technology can encrypt sensitive information in databases. This can include personal data, financial records, and other confidential data.
- Secure communications: AES is vastly used to protect communications channels like instant messaging, emails and voice/video calls.
- Data storage: AES encrypts sensitive data stored on USB drives, hard drives, and other media storage, safeguarding it from unauthorized access.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Most VPN protocols use AES encryption to protect the communication between the user device and the intermediary server. It keeps the data that passes through the VPN safe.
- File and disk encryption: This is the file and folder encryption on a personal computer, including other media like cloud storage and external storage devices. It protects sensitive data from unauthorized access during storage and transit.