What Encryption Should I Choose?

A guide to help you select the most appropriate encryption method for your specific needs

AES Encryption

Advanced Encryption Standard

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is currently the most widely used and trusted symmetric encryption algorithm in the world. It was established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2001.

Best For:

  • Modern applications requiring high security
  • Sensitive data that needs long-term protection
  • Applications where performance is important
  • Government or enterprise security compliance

Key Features:

  • Available in 128, 192, and 256-bit key lengths
  • Excellent performance in both hardware and software
  • Resistant to all known attacks when properly implemented
  • Multiple modes of operation (CBC, ECB, CFB, OFB, CTR)
Use AES Encryption

DES Encryption

Data Encryption Standard

DES is considered outdated and insecure by modern standards due to its short key length. It is included for educational purposes and legacy system compatibility only. For new applications, we strongly recommend using AES instead.

DES (Data Encryption Standard) was adopted as a federal standard in 1977 and was widely used until the late 1990s. It uses a 56-bit key, which is considered too short to be secure against modern computing power.

Use Cases:

  • Legacy systems that still use DES
  • Educational purposes to understand cryptographic history
  • Applications where compatibility with older systems is required
Use DES Encryption

Making the Right Choice

Factors to consider when selecting an encryption method

When choosing an encryption method, consider these important factors:

Security Requirements

Consider the sensitivity of your data and how long it needs to remain secure. AES-256 provides the highest level of security for long-term protection.

Performance Considerations

AES is efficient on modern hardware. For resource-constrained environments, AES-128 offers a good balance between security and performance.

Regulatory Compliance

Many standards and regulations (HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR) require the use of strong encryption. AES is widely accepted for compliance requirements.

Compatibility

Consider what encryption algorithms your systems and partners support. AES is widely supported across modern platforms and applications.

Recommendation: For nearly all modern applications, AES-256 is the recommended choice. It provides an excellent balance of security, performance, and compatibility.