symmetric-key algorithm

Also known as symmetric ciphers, symmetric-key encryption, common key cryptosystem, symmetric cryptosystem, symmetric-key cryptosystem, symmetric crypto, symmetric encryption

cryptosystem that uses one key

In the Vinony graph

Within Vinony's link graph, symmetric-key algorithm is referenced by 768 other articles, and connects out to encryption, public-key cryptography and RC4.

It is catalogued under the topic Cryptographic algorithms.

Its subject is documented across 41 Wikipedia language editions.

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Commons category: Symmetric-key algorithms

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Encyclopedic overview

Symmetric-key encryption: the same key is used for both encryption and decryption Symmetric-key algorithms are algorithms for cryptography that use the same cryptographic keys for both the encryption of plaintext and the decryption of ciphertext. The keys may be identical, or there may be a simple transformation to go between the two keys. The keys, in practice, represent a shared secret between two or more parties that can be used to maintain a private information link. The requirement that both parties have access to the secret key is one of the main drawbacks of symmetric-key encryption, in comparison to asymmetric-key encryption (also known as public-key encryption). However, symmetric-key encryption algorithms are usually better for bulk encryption. With the exception of the one-time pad they have a smaller key size, which means less storage space and faster transmission. Due to this, asymmetric-key encryption is often used to exchange the secret key for symmetric-key encryption.

Types

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “symmetric-key algorithm” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.