December 2021
Beginner
550 pages
20h 48m
English
This section will discuss how to describe the function of keys, the importance of keyspace size, and the requirements for adequate key management.
What is a cryptographic key and how does it function? Simply stated, a key is a value that is an input to a cryptosystem and participates in transforming a message in a particular manner. For each key used, a well-designed cryptosystem produces different outputs of the same message. Think of a key this way: a cipher performs a particular task, and a key gives the specific directions for how to do it.
Physical keys are similar to cryptographic keys. Many popular door locks have five tumblers, each with 10 possible positions. Thus, ...