AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) Encryption Algorithm
1. Introduction
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm used to secure
sensitive data. It was established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) in 2001 as the successor to the DES (Data Encryption Standard) algorithm. AES is
widely used in applications like secure communications, file encryption, and financial
transactions.
2. Features of AES
AES has the following key features:
• Block Cipher: Encrypts data in fixed-size blocks of 128 bits.
• Key Sizes: Supports three key sizes:
- AES-128: 128-bit key (10 rounds of encryption).
- AES-192: 192-bit key (12 rounds of encryption).
- AES-256: 256-bit key (14 rounds of encryption).
• Symmetric Encryption: The same key is used for encryption and decryption.
• Fast and Secure: Efficient in both hardware and software, resistant to attacks.
3. How AES Works
AES follows a substitution-permutation network with multiple rounds of encryption. Each
round consists of transformations:
1. **Key Expansion**: The encryption key is expanded into multiple round keys.
2. **Initial Round**: AddRoundKey (XOR operation with initial key).
3. **Main Rounds** (Repeated 9, 11, or 13 times based on key size):
- SubBytes (Substitution using an S-box).
- ShiftRows (Row shifting for diffusion).
- MixColumns (Column mixing for further diffusion).
- AddRoundKey (XOR operation with round key).
4. **Final Round** (Without MixColumns):
- SubBytes, ShiftRows, AddRoundKey.
5. **Ciphertext Output**: The final transformed block is the encrypted data.
4. AES Decryption Process
AES decryption reverses the encryption steps:
1. **Key Expansion**.
2. **Initial AddRoundKey**.
3. **Reverse Rounds**: Inverse ShiftRows, Inverse SubBytes, AddRoundKey, Inverse
MixColumns.
4. **Plaintext Output**.
5. Example of AES Encryption
Plaintext: 'Hello12345678!'
Key: 'Th1sIsASecretK3y'
Ciphertext Output (Example): B57E123C9A4FAD76B2D1E35C79F3A1B6
6. AES Modes of Operation
Common modes of AES operation include:
• ECB (Electronic Codebook): Encrypts each block independently (not recommended).
• CBC (Cipher Block Chaining): Uses IV and links blocks together.
• CFB (Cipher Feedback) & OFB (Output Feedback): Stream cipher modes.
• GCM (Galois/Counter Mode): Provides encryption and authentication.
7. Real-World Applications of AES
AES is widely used in:
• SSL/TLS (Secure Web Browsing).
• Wi-Fi Security (WPA2, WPA3).
• Banking & Payment Systems.
• Encrypted Messaging (WhatsApp, Signal).
• Cloud Storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
8. Strengths of AES
• Highly Secure: No practical attack against full AES.
• Fast and Efficient: Works well in hardware and software.
• Flexible: Different key sizes for varying security needs.
• Adopted Worldwide: Used by governments and industries.
9. Conclusion
AES is a powerful encryption algorithm used for securing digital communications and
sensitive data. Its strong design, efficiency, and adaptability make it the standard choice for
encryption today.
