What Is AES Encryption? The Complete Guide

Encryption is a crucial part of most security frameworks and a foundational component of data protection across all digital applications. AES encryption, in particular, is a cornerstone of modern data obfuscation.

What Is AES Encryption?

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption is an algorithm that was adopted by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2001 as a replacement for the aging Data Encryption Standard (DES) in use at the time.

AES is a symmetric-key block cipher, which uses the same key for encryption and decryption. It operates on fixed-size data blocks of 128 bits and supports key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits, each with increasing complexity.

Accordingly, there are three primary types of AES encryption in operation today:

• AES-128: This version uses a key size of 128 bits and performs ten rounds of processing during encryption and decryption. This algorithm balances security and performance but may need to be more suitable for more advanced security demands.
• AES-192: This version uses a key size of 192 bits and performs 12 rounds of processing during encryption and decryption. It offers a higher level of security compared to AES-128, with a slight trade-off in performance.
• AES-256: This version uses a key size of 256 bits and performs 14 rounds of processing during encryption and decryption. It provides the highest level of security among the three types but trades off performance–that is, it takes significantly longer to encrypt and decrypt the same block of text using AES-256 than the previous two.

As a symmetric encryption method, AES does have significant performance benefits over asymmetric encryption, with the drawback that it relies on a single key that must remain secret.

What Are the Benefits of Using AES Encryption?

AES is generally considered a secure encryption algorithm appropriate for high-level protection in industrial and government settings. Its security comes from its large key sizes, the (always-increasing) rounds of encryption performed on data blocks, and resistance to known attacks.
Some of the reasons that AES is considered so secure include:

• Large Keys: AES supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits. The larger the key, the harder it is to break that key through brute-force attacks (like guessing). For example, AES-256 has 2 to the power of 256, a number that would take modern computers longer than the universe’s age to guess or reverse engineer through brute-force attacks.
• Multiple Rounds of Encryption: AES performs multiple rounds of processing during encryption and decryption. AES is what is known as a “block cipher,” in which the algorithm performs encryption processes on small chunks, or blocks, of data. Furthermore, stronger forms of AES will encrypt each block several times in what are called “rounds.” Each round includes permutations and mixing of the input data, making it extremely difficult to reverse-engineer the encrypted data or find weaknesses in the encryption process.
• Resistance to Modern Attacks: AES is a modern standard and has been extensively analyzed by the cryptographic community to resist attacks such as linear and differential cryptanalysis.

However, it’s important to note that the security of AES encryption also depends on factors such as the implementation, key management, and the overall security of the system in which it is used. Secure key generation, storage, and distribution are essential to maintaining the security of any encryption algorithm, including AES.

How Was AES Developed?

AES encryption was created to replace DES as a more secure and efficient algorithm. DES had been in operation since the 1970s and started showing vulnerabilities due to advances in computational power and cryptanalysis.

In 1997, NIST initiated a process to develop a new encryption that would provide stronger security for the future. The main objectives were:

• Enhanced Security: The new standard needed to offer significantly stronger security than DES and be resistant to known cryptographic attacks. Additionally, it had to support larger key sizes to protect against brute-force attacks that were becoming feasible with increasing computational power.
• Improved Efficiency: The new encryption algorithm needed to be computationally efficient, allowing for fast encryption and decryption on a wide range of hardware.
• Provided Flexibility: The new standard had to be adaptable to different security requirements and applications, offering various key sizes and security levels.

AES has since become the most widely used symmetric encryption algorithm worldwide, providing strong security and efficient performance across various applications and industries, from telecommunications and finance to government and military.

In What Applications Is AES Used?

AES is widely used in various applications and industries due to its efficiency and strong security. Some common use cases for AES encryption include:

• Secure Communications: AES encryption is used in secure communication protocols like SSL/TLS and HTTPS to protect data transmitted over networks, including emails, instant messages, and web browsing activities.
• File and Disk Encryption: AES is used in file and disk encryption software, such as Microsoft’s BitLocker, Apple’s FileVault, and the open-source VeraCrypt, to protect sensitive data stored on computer systems, external storage devices or in the cloud.
• Wireless Security: In Wi-Fi networks, AES encryption is utilized in the WPA2 and WPA3 security protocols to protect the confidentiality of data transmitted between devices and access points.
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): AES encryption is used in VPNs to secure data transmitted between remote users and a private network, ensuring confidentiality and integrity.
• Payment Systems: Financial institutions and payment systems, such as credit card processing and online banking, rely on AES encryption to protect sensitive data, including account numbers, transaction details, and personal information.
• Government and Military: AES encryption is approved for use by the U.S. government to protect classified information, and it is widely used in military communications and secure data storage.
• Cryptocurrencies: Many cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, use AES encryption to secure wallet data and maintain privacy in the transaction process.

The algorithm’s versatility, efficiency, and robust security make it an essential tool for protecting sensitive data across various industries and use cases.

Trust 1Kosmos for Encrypted Authentication

1Kosmos knows that strong encryption is the heart of any authentication and identity management system. Our BlockID uses powerful encryption and a decentralized, private blockchain to protect user identity information, remove centralized honeypots (such as databases), and does so without damaging the user experience.

With 1Kosmos, you can use the following key features:

• SIM Binding: The BlockID application uses SMS verification, identity proofing, and SIM card authentication to create solid, robust, and secure device authentication from any employee’s phone.
• Identity-Based Authentication: We push biometrics and authentication into a new “who you are” paradigm. BlockID uses biometrics to identify individuals, not devices, through credential triangulation and identity verification.
• Cloud-Native Architecture: Flexible and scalable cloud architecture makes it simple to build applications using our standard API and SDK.
• Identity Proofing: BlockID verifies identity anywhere, anytime and on any device with over 99% accuracy.
• Privacy by Design: Embedding privacy into the design of our ecosystem is a core principle of 1Kosmos. We protect personally identifiable information in a distributed identity architecture and the encrypted data is only accessible by the user.
• Private and Permissioned Blockchain: 1Kosmos protects personally identifiable information in a private and permissioned blockchain, encrypts digital identities, and is only accessible by the user. The distributed properties ensure no databases to breach or honeypots for hackers to target.
• Interoperability: BlockID can readily integrate with existing infrastructure through its 50+ out-of-the-box integrations or via API/SDK.

Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about how BlockID can support real security and help mitigate phishing attacks. Also, make sure to read our whitepaper on how to Go Beyond Passwordless Solutions.

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