ADVANCED ENCRYPTION STANDARD (AES)

1. What is the Advanced Encryption Standard?

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), specifically, that specifies a cryptographic algorithm for use by U.S. Government organizations to protect sensitive, unclassified information. NIST anticipates that the AES will be widely used on a voluntary basis by organizations, institutions, and individuals outside of the U.S. Government - and outside of the United States - in some cases.

2. What algorithm did NIST select for the AES, and how do you pronounce it?

NIST selected Rijndael as the AES algorithm. The algorithm's developers have suggested the following pronunciation alternatives: "Reign Dahl", "Rain Doll", and "Rhine Dahl".

3. Who submitted the algorithm, and where are they from?

The two researchers who developed and submitted Rijndael for the AES are both cryptographers from Belgium: Dr. Joan Daemen (Yo'-ahn Dah'-mun) of Proton World International and Dr. Vincent Rijmen (Rye'-mun), a postdoctoral researcher in the Electrical Engineering Department (ESAT) of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Both gentlemen have been very active in the cryptographic community.

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