What Is the AES Encryption Algorithm?
The AES encryption algorithm is used by United States government departments for encrypting confidential data. It is now used for both classified and unclassified data. The algorithm has been published publicly and it is likely it will eventually be widely used in the commercial sector. Originally the AES encryption algorithm was only designed to be used for data that was secret but not classified. Classified data is that where the law restricts which people are allowed to access the data. The AES encryption algorithm was approved as the federal government standard in 2002, then in 2003 received approval for use in classified documents. As of 2010, it was still the only publicly accessible encryption system approved for classified documents.
