Which aspect of encryption is measured in bits?

Key length is the aspect of encryption that is measured in bits. This measurement indicates the size of the encryption key used in the cryptographic algorithm, which directly impacts the level of security provided by the encryption. A longer key length generally means a higher level of security, as it increases the number of possible key combinations, making it more difficult for attackers to use brute force methods to decrypt the information.

For instance, an encryption algorithm that uses a 256-bit key length is significantly more secure than one that uses a 128-bit key because the former has a vastly larger key space to explore. As a result, measuring key length in bits serves as a standard way to convey the strength of the encryption scheme being utilized, guiding users and organizations in making informed decisions about their data protection strategies.