Understanding AES-256 Encryption in Syfra Cards

Syfra uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys to protect your seed phrases. This article explains what this means and why it's virtually unbreakable.

What is AES-256?

AES-256 is a symmetric encryption algorithm that uses a 256-bit key to encrypt and decrypt data. It's the same encryption standard used by:

How Syfra Implements AES-256

When you write a seed phrase to your Syfra card:

1. **Key Derivation**: Your password is processed through PBKDF2 to create a 256-bit encryption key

2. **Encryption**: Your seed phrase is encrypted using AES-256 in CBC mode

3. **Storage**: Only the encrypted data is stored on the NFC card

4. **Authentication**: HMAC ensures data integrity

Why 256-bit Keys Matter

A 256-bit key provides 2^256 possible combinations. To put this in perspective:

Additional Security Layers

Syfra doesn't rely on encryption alone:

Best Practices

To maximize security:

The combination of AES-256 encryption and physical security makes Syfra one of the most secure ways to store seed phrases.