AES and Modes of Operation

After completing this experiment, you will be able to:

  1. Understand Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Fundamentals

    • Comprehend the principles of symmetric key encryption using AES
    • Recognize the importance of key sizes (128, 192, 256 bits) in AES security
    • Understand the block-based structure of AES encryption (128-bit blocks)
  2. Master AES Encryption Operations

    • Perform encryption using different AES key sizes and modes
    • Execute proper hexadecimal conversion of plaintext data
    • Apply appropriate padding techniques for block cipher requirements
  3. Analyze Modes of Operation

    • Distinguish between different block cipher modes (ECB, CBC, CFB, OFB, CTR)
    • Understand when and why initialization vectors (IV) are required
    • Recognize the security implications of different operational modes
  4. Develop Practical Cryptographic Skills

    • Convert between plaintext and hexadecimal representations
    • Calculate proper padding for AES block requirements
    • Validate encryption parameters and results
  5. Evaluate Cryptographic Security

    • Compare the security characteristics of different AES modes
    • Understand the vulnerabilities and strengths of various operational modes
    • Recognize the importance of proper IV usage in securing block ciphers
  6. Apply Real-World Knowledge

    • Implement AES encryption processes step-by-step
    • Solve practical encryption challenges with different test cases
    • Understand the complete encryption workflow from plaintext to ciphertext