The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric encryption algorithm established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Coursera's AES skill catalogue teaches you the intricacies of this highly secure, widely adopted encryption standard. You'll learn about the core principles of symmetric cryptography, the design and operational details of the AES algorithm, and its implementation in various cybersecurity contexts. The catalogue also covers key management strategies, AES modes of operation, and potential attacks and countermeasures. By mastering AES, you'll enhance your proficiency in information security, cybersecurity, and secure software development, and be able to effectively apply AES in a broad range of applications, from securing network communications to protecting sensitive data.