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AES - The Advanced Encryption Standard
The Advanced Encryption standard is also a block cipher, taking a fixed length cleartext bitstring and returning a ciphertext bitstring of the same length. It was developed by two Belgian cryptographers; it is sometimes known by the name of Rijndael ("rhine dahl"). AES has a fixed block size of 128 bits and key sizes of 128, 192 or 256 bits.
As of October 2002, there have been no known successful attacks against AES. The US Government has stated that AES may be used for classified information:
"The design and strength of all key lengths of the AES algorithm (i.e., 128, 192 and 256) are sufficient to protect classified information up to the SECRET level. TOP SECRET information will require use of either the 192 or 256 key lengths. The implementation of AES in products intended to protect national security systems and/or information must be reviewed and certified by NSA prior to their acquisition and use."
Index of related articles:
What is encryption?
DES - The Data Encryption Standard
AES - The Advanced Encryption Standard
