Advanced Encryption Standard (AES): The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric encryption algorithm widely used across the globe. Announced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2000 as a replacement for the DES (Data Encryption Standard), AES has become an essential component of modern cryptographic protocols. It operates on 128-bit data blocks and allows for key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits, with the number of encryption rounds varying according to key size (10 rounds for 128-bit keys, 12 rounds for 192-bit keys, and 14 rounds for 256-bit keys). Today, AES is integral to various applications, from securing wireless networks to encrypting files and data storage, and plays a key role in TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol, ensuring secure internet communication .

History: The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) emerged from a critical need to replace the Data Encryption Standard (DES) due to its vulnerability to brute-force attacks. In 1997, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States initiated a competition to find a new, more secure encryption standard. This call attracted submissions from cryptographers globally, and fifteen initial algorithms were considered. By 1999, after rigorous evaluation for security, efficiency, and flexibility, the list was narrowed to five finalists: MARS by IBM, RC6 by RSA Security, Rijndael by Joan Daemen and Vincent Rijmen, Serpent by Ross Anderson, Eli Biham, and Lars Knudsen, and Twofish by Bruce Schneier and others. In October 2000, Rijndael was selected as the winner for its optimal balance of security and performance. Officially adopted by NIST as AES in 2001, it marked a significant advancement in cryptographic security. The transparent and inclusive process of selecting AES set a new standard for cryptographic protocol development, and its widespread adoption in both governmental and private sectors underscores its importance in securing various forms of digital communication and data.