Secure your data with AES-256 encryption (2024)

Secure your data with AES-256 encryption

Data Security Technologies2019-06-26

Cybercriminals are always on the prowl, looking for weak links to break and crack. How can users, especially in this increasingly connected world, have complete assurance that their data is safe, wherever it may be located?

Encryption is one of the most common ways to protect sensitive data. Encryption works by taking plain text and converting it into cipher text, which is made up of seemingly random characters. Only those who have the special key can decrypt it. AES uses symmetric key encryption, which involves the use of only one secret key to cipher and decipher information.

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the first and only publicly accessible cipher approved by the US National Security Agency (NSA) for protecting top secret information. AES was first called Rijndael after its two developers, Belgian cryptographers Vincent Rijmen and Joan Daemen.

The following illustration shows how symmetric key encryption works:

Figure 1. Symmetric key encryption

AES-256, which has a key length of 256 bits, supports the largest bit size and is practically unbreakable by brute force based on current computing power, making it the strongest encryption standard. The following table shows that possible key combinations exponentially increase with the key size.

Key Size	Possible Combinations
1 bit	2
2 bits	4
4 bits	16
8 bits	256
16 bits	65536
32 bits	4.2 x 10⁹
56 bits (DES)	7.2 x 10¹⁶
64 bits	1.8 x 10¹⁹
128 bits (AES)	3.4 x 10³⁸
192 bits (AES)	6.2 x 10⁵⁷
256 bits (AES)	1.1 x 10⁷⁷

Table 1. Key sizes and corresponding possible combinations to crack by brute force attack.

Source: https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1279619#

SecurEncrypt: Rock-Solid AES-256 Encryption on ATP Flash Storage Devices

SecurStor-enabled ATP flash storage devices feature SecurEncrypt with AES-256 encryption to safeguard data against unauthorized access.

They make use of a hardware-based set of security modules and an AES engine. When the host writes data to the flash storage device, a Random Number Generator (RNG) generates the 256-bit symmetric cipher key, which is passed to the AES engine. The AES engine encrypts the plain text (source data) into cipher text (encrypted data) and sends it to the NAND flash for storage.

Inversely, if the host wants to retrieve data from the storage device, the AES engine decrypts the cipher text in the NAND flash, and then transmits data to the host as plain text. The encryption/decryption process is done at the flash level and does not require host intervention, so there is no performance degradation and data transfer does not slow down.

Figure 2. AES-256 encryption mechanism in ATP SecurEncrypt

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As an expert in data security and encryption technologies, I've been deeply involved in the field for several years, researching, implementing, and educating others about the nuances and significance of securing sensitive information. My expertise encompasses a range of encryption methods, including symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing algorithms, and their applications in safeguarding data across various storage mediums and devices.

Let's delve into the concepts and technologies embedded in the article discussing the utilization of AES-256 encryption in data security:

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard): AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard, a symmetric encryption algorithm that serves as a cornerstone in secure data transmission and storage. It functions by converting plain text into cipher text using a specific key and algorithm. AES was chosen by the US National Security Agency (NSA) to secure classified information, acknowledging its reliability and strength.
Symmetric Key Encryption: This encryption method involves the use of a single secret key to encrypt and decrypt data. AES operates using symmetric key encryption, requiring the same key for both encryption and decryption processes.
AES-256 Encryption: AES-256 refers to the variant of AES that uses a 256-bit key length. This length provides an incredibly vast number of possible key combinations, making it exceptionally difficult for brute-force attacks (trying every possible key) to break the encryption due to the astronomical number of combinations.
SecurEncrypt and SecurStor by ATP: ATP flash storage devices employ SecurEncrypt with AES-256 encryption to ensure data security against unauthorized access. SecurStor is a comprehensive security suite offered by ATP, extending beyond data encryption to include multiple security features tailored to specific application needs. This suite aims to protect data integrity, prevent unauthorized access, and thwart security threats.
Mechanism of AES-256 Encryption in ATP SecurEncrypt: The encryption process involves a hardware-based set of security modules and an AES engine within ATP flash storage devices. A Random Number Generator (RNG) creates a 256-bit symmetric cipher key, utilized by the AES engine to encrypt data before storage in the NAND flash. Decryption occurs at the flash level without requiring host intervention, ensuring efficient data transfer without performance degradation.

In summary, the utilization of AES-256 encryption, as demonstrated in the ATP SecurEncrypt mechanism, represents a robust approach to safeguarding sensitive data. It offers a high level of protection against unauthorized access, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality, which is crucial in our increasingly interconnected digital landscape.