The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a widely used encryption algorithm that secures data by converting it into a format that is unreadable without a specific key. Established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2001, AES replaced the older Data Encryption Standard (DES) due to its enhanced security and efficiency. It operates on fixed block sizes of 128 bits and supports key lengths of 128, 192, or 256 bits. AES is a symmetric key algorithm, meaning the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. It is commonly employed in various applications, including securing internet communications, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring privacy in digital transactions. Its robustness and speed make it a standard choice for data protection across industries.