Final answer:
AES is the first and only public cipher approved for protecting classified information by the U.S. government. It is widely used in various applications to ensure the security of data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is the first and only public cipher that's approved for protecting classified information by the U.S. government, specifically for securing sensitive government communications. It is widely used in various applications, such as secure communication over the internet, wireless networks, and email encryption.
The AES algorithm was selected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2001 after an extensive evaluation process involving various cryptographic algorithms. It replaced the Data Encryption Standard (DES) due to its vulnerability to brute-force attacks.
Overall, AES plays a vital role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and security of data in various sectors, including government, finance, healthcare, and more.