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What Is AES Encryption? A Guide to the Advanced Encryption Standard

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The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is an algorithm that uses a strong password (secret key) to scramble your files and messages, making them unreadable to anyone who doesn’t have the key.

Whether it be sending and receiving emails, transferring files or simply browsing the web, data transfer exists everywhere in our technological world. 

In an age in which cybercriminals are trying to access that data at every turn, businesses and consumers alike need to be protected — and the first step is to learn what AES encryption is.

AES encryption is an encryption method that has become the industry standard due to its security, ease of use and speed. In this article, we will detail what AES encryption is, how it works and how Panda can equip you with this valuable security method via a VPN and password manager.

What Is AES Encryption?

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a powerful algorithm established by the U.S. government to electronically secure sensitive data. It utilizes a secret key to scramble information into an unreadable format, rendering it useless without authorized access. 

Widely adopted by the U.S. government, businesses and individuals, AES safeguards critical information during storage or transmission. This ensures confidentiality even if data is intercepted by unauthorized parties.

This method was first conceptualized in 1997 when the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) became vulnerable to brute force attacks and needed a stronger encryption method. NIST enlisted a pair of developers to tackle the problem — Vincent Rijmen and Joan Daemen — who developed the eventually selected technology, AES, in 1998.

AES has been the encryption standard for the NIST since its full-scale adoption in 2002. Overall, there are three main types of AES encryption:

What Is AES Used For?

Even though AES was first formulated in conjunction with the United States government, this encryption method is now used in both governmental and civilian applications. A few of the most common uses of AES encryption include:

How Does AES Work?

No matter the type of AES, the encryption process is similar and can be described in a series of steps:


Advantages of AES Encryption

AES is the preferred encryption method because it excels in many key performance metrics. A few benefits of AES include:

AES Encryption Attacks

AES is a robust encryption algorithm widely trusted for securing sensitive data. However, no security measure is foolproof, and AES encryption is still susceptible to attacks, including:

How to Prevent AES Encryption Attacks

While AES encryption is powerful, a layered security approach is crucial. Here’s how you can minimize the risk of attacks:

How Does AES Compare to Other Encryption?

While AES is an impressive encryption method, how does it compare to other options available? Here is how AES stacks up against similar systems.

AES-128 vs. AES-256

AES-128 and AES-256 may seem like two different systems, but they are simply two variations of the same encryption method. 

AES-128 involves a 128-bit key length in which data goes through 10 rounds of encryption. While this method is extremely secure against brute force attacks, it has the lowest security specs of all AES variations. 

AES-256 involves a 256-bit key length in which data goes through 14 rounds of encryption, and has the highest security specs of all AES variations. 256 is slowly being adopted into everyday use due to continuous advancements in technology.

AES vs. RSA

RSA, or Rivest, Shamir and Adleman, is a type of encryption that uses an asymmetric algorithm to encrypt and decrypt data. This method can be paired with other encryption methods such as PGP encryption to generate a pair of related keys — otherwise known as public and private keys. 

While both algorithms are secure, the main difference between AES and RSA comes down to speed and complexity.

Since AES uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data, it is more user-friendly, cheaper and more secure against brute force attacks due to the length of the password. RSA, on the other hand, is faster in processing data because the length of the keys are shorter.

Despite their differences, both AES and RSA are reliable methods to encrypt and secure data.

AES vs. DES

DES, or data encryption standard, is the now-outdated encryption method used by government agencies starting in the 1970s.

DES and AES are similar in functionality, but the difference is simply that AES is more efficient and secure. While DES uses a 56-bit key, AES uses 128-, 192-, and 256-bit keys which results in increased security. AES is also faster than DES, resulting in quicker encryption.

Overall, AES has replaced DES in nearly every capacity.

AES Encryption FAQ

Finally, we will wrap up with a few frequently asked questions about AES encryption.

Is AES Symmetric or Asymmetric?

AES is classified as a symmetric encryption algorithm. This means that the same secret key is used for both encrypting and decrypting data. This symmetric approach offers advantages in terms of speed and efficiency, especially when dealing with large data volumes. However, it also necessitates careful key management. Anyone who possesses the secret key can decrypt the data, making it crucial to keep the key secure.

What Is AES 128 vs. 192 vs. 256?

AES 128, 192 and 256 are all variations of the same algorithm, but the difference lies in the key length and rounds of encryption.

AES-128 uses a 128-bit key length for encryption and decryption, which results in 10 rounds of encryption; AES-192 uses a 192-bit key length for encryption and decryption, which results in 12 rounds of encryption; and AES-256 uses a 256-bit key length for encryption and decryption, which results in 14 rounds of encryption.

Is 128-Bit AES Secure?

Yes, 128-bit AES is secure. In fact, if using brute force methods, it would take 1 billion billion years to crack.

Is AES Free to Use?

Yes, AES is free to use. It was originally developed to be released on a royalty-free basis.

Is AES the Best Encryption Method?

The best encryption method for you depends on what’s important for your situation. That said, AES is one of the leading encryption methods on the market, trusted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology since 2002.

Panda Security Can Help With Encryption

AES encryption is an extremely secure and user-friendly algorithm that can protect your most sensitive data. Found in a number of everyday applications, this method is the go-to for defending sensitive data against brute force attacks.

If you want the power of AES encryption in your everyday cyber activity, enlist the help of Panda’s VPN and password manager services to expertly secure your data against cyberthreats.

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