Which cryptographic protocol is best for securing data transmission in a new software application processing sensitive information?

Transport Layer Security (TLS) with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the optimal choice for securing data transmission in scenarios involving sensitive information. TLS is the successor to SSL and is considered the industry standard for establishing secure communications over a computer network. It provides robust features such as encryption of data in transit, ensuring that attackers cannot intercept or read sensitive information as it travels between the client and server.

AES is a symmetric encryption algorithm widely accepted for its strength and efficiency in encrypting data. It is known for its ability to handle large amounts of data with excellent speed while maintaining high security. Together, TLS and AES form a powerful combination, providing both the secure transmission layer and strong encryption necessary to protect sensitive data from various threats in the modern digital landscape.

While the other options may offer some level of security, they include protocols or algorithms that are either outdated, less secure, or do not provide the same level of trust and efficiency as TLS with AES. For instance, SSL has known vulnerabilities and is no longer recommended for use, while DES is considered weak due to its short key length. PPTP also has known security flaws, and while HTTPS is a secure implementation of HTTP with transport security, the combination of TLS and AES specifically stands out for protecting sensitive data