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Training Camp • Cybersecurity Glossary
Block cipher modes of operation like ECB, CBC, CTR, and GCM define how AES encrypts data larger than one block. Learn their security trade-offs.
Block Cipher Mode of Operation Definition: Block cipher modes of operation like ECB, CBC, CTR, and GCM define how AES encrypts data larger than one block. Learn their security trade-offs.
A block cipher mode of operation is an algorithm that defines how a block cipher such as AES is repeatedly applied to encrypt or authenticate data larger than a single fixed-size block. Common modes include ECB, CBC, CTR, and authenticated modes like GCM and CCM, each offering different trade-offs in confidentiality, integrity, parallelizability, and resistance to attacks. Modes such as CBC and CTR require a unique initialization vector or nonce, and ECB is generally discouraged because it leaks data patterns.
Block Cipher Mode of Operation is one of the topics you'll master in the Security+ Boot Camp.
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