Difference Between AES and RSA Encryption

In cryptography, this is the process of changing or transforming plain text or information into a cipher text or a text that the receiver, who is the person to whom the information is intended, can only decode. There are several algorithms in data encryption such as AES and RSA. AES represents a symmetric key algorithm whose processes depend on the same keys for both encryption and decryption. On the other hand, RSA is a technique used for asymmetric keys with a pair of keys: public and private keys. There will be one to do the encryption of data and another one to decrypt it. Understanding key differences of both would help in choosing the best method for keeping your data safe.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

AES is a symmetric key encryption method developed by a pair of Belgian cryptographers named Joan Daemen and Vincent Rijmen. The AES was published by NIST in 2001. Rijndael protects the critical information of communication networks, financial dealings, and file storage. AES supports 128-bit data blocks using 128, 192, or 256-bit keys. Substitutions, permutations, and mixing are used to secure encryption. The transmitter and receiver share a key for symmetric encryption. Alice and Bob must securely exchange a secret key before sending an AES-encrypted message. Bob can decrypt the message using the same secret key.

Advantages

• Speed: AES is super fast as compared to RSA, especially in cases involving the encryption of large data sets.
• Efficiency: Computationally efficient and hence suitable for devices with limited resources
• Security: AES is considered ultra-secure, and there are no known practical attacks against it.
• Flexibility: AES can use blocks and keys of different sizes; hence, the algorithm is flexible for different security requirements.

Disadvantages

• Key Management: Since AES requires the distribution and management of the encryption key to be safe, with the compromise of the key, the encrypted data can always be decrypted.
• Symmetric: AES is symmetric that is, the same key is used for encryption and decryption. In case of large networks or multiple parties, key distribution may be difficult in this respect.

Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)

Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman invented RSA in 1977. This encryption uses huge prime numbers and the difficulty of factoring large composite numbers. RSA encrypts and decrypts using public and private keys. The public key is disclosed, but the secret key is concealed. This enables keyless secure communication. Bob's public key lets Alice send Bob an RSA-encrypted message. Bob's private key decrypts the message. Digital signatures and key exchange use RSA. RSA is slower than AES and unsuitable for big data encryption owing to its computational complexity.

Advantages

• Aymmetric encryption: RSA is an asymmetric encryption algorithm. Different keys are used for its encryption and decryption. That makes it easy for key distribution and management.
• Digital Signatures: RSA can be used for digital signatures that allow authentication and integrity of data.
• Public Key Infrastructure: RSA forms the base for PKI that is in extensive usage for secure communication and authentication.

Disadvantages

• Speed: RSA is very slow compared to AES, especially on large datasets. Computational complexity: It involves high computational complexity, thus making it unsuitable to run on low-resource devices.

• Key size: Keys used in RSA must be of a considerable size to be secure, so there are performance implications.
• Attack vulnerability: It is still vulnerable to various attack types, such as side-channel attacks and quantum computing threats.

Difference Between AES and RSA Encryption

Conclusion

AES and RSA are the two any important tools in the land of encryption, working for different purposes. AES is generally preferred for large amounts of data encrypting because it's fast and efficient, while RSA is more suitable for asymmetric encryption in key exchange, digital signatures, and so forth. Many a time, both are used together in a hybrid approach, merging their benefits.