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What is a data encryption key?

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The operation of the algorithm requires the use of a key. This algorithm requires two keys, an unguarded public key used to encrypt the plaintext and a guarded private key used for decryption of the ciphertext; the two keys are mathematically related but cannot be deduced from one another. The advantages of asymmetric algorithms are that compromising one of the keys is not sufficient for breaking the cipher and fewer unique keys must be generated.

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Similar questions: How is a data encryption key used? What is the benefit of two keys? How are the algorithms for the keys related? What is an advantage of an asymmetric algorithm? [ Hide these questions ]

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