1. Security bits meaning
- “Security level X bits” ≈ breaking it requires about \(2^X\) operations.
- Example: 128-bit security means brute force would take \(2^{128}\) steps.
2. Current recommended levels (as of 2025)
From NIST, ENISA, and other standards bodies:
- Symmetric crypto (AES, SHA-2, SHA-3):
– 128-bit security is the minimum …