AES-256 Encryption Algorithm

An AES-256 Encryption Algorithm is an Advanced Encryption Standard symmetric encryption algorithm that uses 256-bit keys for block cipher operations.

• AKA: Rijndael-256 Algorithm, AES-256 Cipher, 256-bit AES Algorithm.
• Context:
  • It can typically process 128-bit blocks through 14 encryption rounds.
  • It can typically provide 256-bit security level against brute-force attacks.
  • It can typically operate in cipher modes including CBC, GCM, CTR, and XTS.
  • It can typically achieve encryption throughput of 1-5 GB/s on modern CPUs with AES-NI instructions.
  • It can typically support authenticated encryption when used with GCM mode or CCM mode.
  • ...
  • It can often serve as bulk encryption algorithm in hybrid encryption systems.
  • It can often enable disk encryption in full disk encryption systems.
  • It can often provide database encryption for data at rest protection.
  • It can often implement network encryption in VPN protocols.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Software AES-256 Implementation to being a Hardware-Accelerated AES-256 Implementation, depending on its execution platform.
  • It can range from being a Standard AES-256 Implementation to being a Side-Channel Resistant AES-256 Implementation, depending on its security hardening.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with RSA-2048 Encryption Algorithm in TLS cipher suites.
  • It can support Encryption Key Management Systems through key derivation functions.
  • It can enable Zero-Trust AI System Security Architecture via data encryption services.
  • It can complement Hybrid Encryption Systems as symmetric encryption component.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Protocol AES-256 Implementations, such as:
    • TLS 1.3 AES-256-GCM for secure web communication.
    • IPSec AES-256-CBC for VPN tunnel encryption.
    • WPA3 AES-256-CCMP for WiFi security.
  • Storage Encryption AES-256 Implementations, such as:
    • BitLocker AES-256-XTS for Windows disk encryption.
    • FileVault AES-256-XTS for macOS disk encryption.
    • LUKS AES-256-XTS for Linux disk encryption.
  • Cloud Service AES-256 Implementations, such as:
    • AWS S3 AES-256 Server-Side Encryption for object storage.
    • Azure Storage AES-256 Encryption for blob encryption.
    • Google Cloud AES-256 Default Encryption for data at rest.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • AES-128 Encryption Algorithm, which uses shorter key length with reduced security margin.
  • DES Encryption Algorithm, which is cryptographically broken due to 56-bit key size.
  • RSA Encryption Algorithm, which is asymmetric encryption rather than symmetric encryption.
• See: Advanced Encryption Standard, Symmetric Encryption Algorithm, Block Cipher Mode of Operation, RSA-2048 Encryption Algorithm, Hybrid Encryption System, Encryption Performance Optimization Strategy, NIST Cryptographic Standards.

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