What is the purpose of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)?

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is fundamentally designed to secure data transmission through encryption. Its primary purpose is to protect sensitive information by converting it into a format that is unreadable to unauthorized users. This is achieved through cryptographic algorithms that ensure data confidentiality and integrity during its transfer across networks. By using AES encryption, organizations can safeguard data against eavesdropping and unauthorized access, making it crucial for securing communications, especially in contexts such as financial transactions, personal data transmission, and classified government information.

In contrast, the other options focus on functionalities that do not pertain to encryption. For example, compressing audio files relates to reducing file size for easier transmission or storage but does not involve securing content. Similarly, enhancing image quality and optimizing video resolution pertain to visual improvements and processing rather than protecting data integrity or confidentiality. Thus, the focus of AES as a robust encryption standard emphasizes its role in safe data transmission.