IEEE Honors KU Leuven with Milestone for Development of Global Encryption Standard AES

IEEE Honors KU Leuven with Milestone for Development of Global Encryption Standard AES

IEEE awards the AES algorithm developed at KU Leuven with a Milestone for its global role in digital security.

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), developed at KU Leuven, has received an IEEE Milestone. The award recognizes the global impact of the encryption algorithm, which today forms the backbone of digital security.

Belgian Origin

The AES algorithm was designed between 1995 and 1998 by Vincent Rijmen (KU Leuven) and Joan Daemen (ProtonWorld) based on doctoral research at KU Leuven. Their algorithm, known as Rijndael, was selected in 2000 by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the basis for the new encryption standard. In 2001, AES was officially recognized as a federal standard in the United States (FIPS PUB 197).

IEEE Milestone KU Leuven.

Today, AES is globally embedded in the security of internet traffic, mobile communications, financial systems, cloud storage, and even critical infrastructure. The algorithm is a fundamental part of protocols such as HTTPS, TLS, IPSec, 5G, WPA3, and encrypted voice connections. AES is also included in hardware from major chip manufacturers such as Intel, AMD, and ARM.

Milestone Plaque at KU Leuven

The IEEE Milestone was awarded in recognition of the technological and societal impact of AES. The award was physically affixed to the Arenberg Castle in Heverlee, where the Rijndael algorithm was developed. IEEE, the international organization for technological advancement, uses the Milestone program to commend groundbreaking innovations that offer demonstrable added value to society.

According to Professor Vincent Rijmen, this recognition demonstrates how fundamental academic research can lead to global applications. “Rijndael started as an academic idea and has grown into an essential link in global communication security,” said Rijmen.