An auditor for a federal agency is reviewing encryption. Which standard is the auditor most likely using?

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the correct answer because it is the encryption standard widely adopted and recommended for securing sensitive data by federal agencies, including those in the United States. AES is a symmetric key encryption algorithm that offers a high level of security and efficiency, making it suitable for government and commercial applications that require robust encryption solutions.

AES has been established as a standard by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and is utilized in various federal initiatives, compliance requirements, and regulatory frameworks. The algorithm supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits, and it is known for its resilience against various types of cryptographic attacks. Its inclusion in federal standards ensures consistency in the use of strong encryption methods across various sectors, enhancing overall data protection.

Other options mentioned, such as ChaCha, CBC, and GCM, represent specific encryption methodologies or modes of operation. While they play roles in specific contexts or applications, they do not have the same level of recognition and standardization as AES in the broader scope of federal encryption standards. For instance, while GCM is a mode of operation that provides both encryption and integrity verification, it is not a standalone standard like AES. Similarly, CBC is another mode for block c