secret-key algorithm - Glossary | CSRC (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret key algorithm? ›

Secret-key cryptography is also called symmetric cryptography because the same key is used to both encrypt and decrypt the data. Well-known secret-key cryptographic algorithms include Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES), and Rivest Cipher 4 (RC4).

A big disadvantage of symmetric key algorithms is the requirement of a shared secret key, with one copy at each end. Since keys are subject to potential discovery by a cryptographic adversary, they need to be changed often and kept secure during distribution and in service.

Examples of a secret key are ROT13 as agreed upon by the parties or a cable television provider's sending of Entitlement Management Messages (EMMs) alongside programming. In the latter, the viewer's set-top box contains the secret key that the cable provider and viewer use to make the programming viewable.

One widely used solution to the key exchange problem is the Diffie-Hellman key exchange algorithm. This algorithm allows two parties to securely generate a shared secret key over an insecure channel without explicitly transmitting the key.

In cryptography, a key is a string of characters used within an encryption algorithm for altering data so that it appears random. Like a physical key, it locks (encrypts) data so that only someone with the right key can unlock (decrypt) it.

The benefits is that it is very fast but since both parties use the same key, there needs to be a secure channel for key exchange. In symmetric encryption, the secret key needs to be protected and controlled. 2. Asymmetric—asymmetric or public key encryption is two key encryption.

Introduction. Secret key cryptography is effective for communication over insecure channels as the piece of information or parameter used helps the information to encrypt and decrypt messages. There are two different keys used for asymmetric encryption in which one is a public key, the other is a secret key.

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What is a good secret key? ›

Unpredictability: A good secret key should be unpredictable and appear random, making it difficult for attackers to guess or deduce. Efficiency: Secret keys need to be efficiently managed, especially in large-scale encryption systems. This includes securely distributing and storing the keys.

Hard-coded secrets are a security risk because they are often stored in plain text, making it easy for attackers to extract them from the source code. They can also be inadvertently disclosed or exposed through other security vulnerabilities, such as code injection or data leaks.

A cryptographic algorithm that uses the same secret key for its operation and (if applicable) for reversing the effects of the operation (e.g., an HMAC key for keyed hashing or an AES key for encryption and decryption); also known as a secret-key algorithm.

Security of public-key cryptography depends on keeping the private key secret; the public key can be openly distributed without compromising security. An unpredictable (typically large and random) number is used to begin generation of an acceptable pair of keys suitable for use by an asymmetric key algorithm.

Another way to use public-key encryption is to distribute secret keys by a Key Distribution Center (KDC) that shares a secret master key with each user and distributes secret session keys encrypted with the master key. A public-key scheme is used to distribute the master keys.

AES uses 128-, 192- or 256-bit keys to encrypt and decrypt data. AES is a symmetric encryption algorithm and a block cipher. The former means that it uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. The sender and the receiver must both know -- and use -- the same secret encryption key.

DES stands for Data Encryption Standard. There are certain machines that can be used to crack the DES algorithm. The DES algorithm uses a key of 56-bit size. Using this key, the DES takes a block of 64-bit plain text as input and generates a block of 64-bit cipher text.

A cryptographic key that is used with an asymmetric (public key) cryptographic algorithm. The private key is uniquely associated with the owner and is not made public. The private key is used to compute a digital signature that may be verified using the corresponding public key.

For secret key authentication to work, the two parties to a transaction must share a cryptographic session key which is also secret, known only to them and to no others. The key is symmetric; that is, it is a single key used for both encryption and decryption.