Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Ciphersuites for Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Ciphersuites for Transport Layer Security (TLS) Status of this Memo This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Abstract This document proposes several new ciphersuites. At present, the symmetric ciphers supported by Transport Layer Security (TLS) are RC2, RC4, International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA), Data Encryption Standard (DES), and triple DES. The protocol would be enhanced by the addition of Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) ciphersuites. Overview At present, the symmetric ciphers supported by TLS are RC2, RC4, IDEA, DES, and triple DES. The protocol would be enhanced by the addition of AES [AES] ciphersuites, for the following reasons: 1. RC2, RC4, and IDEA are all subject to intellectual property claims. RSA Security Inc. has trademark rights in the names RC2 and RC4, and claims that the RC4 algorithm itself is a trade secret. Ascom Systec Ltd. owns a patent on the IDEA algorithm. 2. Triple DES is much less efficient than more modern ciphers. 3. Now that the AES process is completed there will be commercial pressure to use the selected cipher. The AES is efficient and has withstood extensive cryptanalytic efforts. The AES is therefore a desirable choice. Chown Standards Track [Page 1]