Which organization helps set standards for data encryption?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is recognized for its pivotal role in the development and promotion of standards for data encryption. NIST is a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and is renowned for establishing technical standards, including those related to information technology and cryptography. It has developed guidelines and frameworks that inform best practices for the secure management of data and encryption, which are widely adopted across industries and government sectors.

NIST is responsible for the development of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is a widely used encryption standard for securing electronic data. Their standards help organizations ensure their cryptographic practices are robust and in line with the latest technological and security advancements.

The other organizations listed, while influential in their own right, focus on different aspects of standardization or regulatory oversight rather than specifically creating standards for data encryption. The FTC primarily addresses consumer protection and privacy, the W3C works on web standards, and ISO develops international standards covering a wide array of industries, including aspects of security, but NIST holds a specific niche in the realm of data encryption. This expertise and dedication to cryptographic standards make NIST the correct choice for the question.