Discover the power of symmetric encryption in securing messages between peers. Learn how a shared key enables confidential communication across branch offices.
Table of Contents
Question
A systems administrator uses a key to encrypt a message being sent to a peer in a different branch office. The peer then uses the same key to decrypt the message. Which of the following describes this example?
A. Symmetric
B. Asymmetric
C. Hashing
D. Salting
Answer
A. Symmetric
Explanation
The example described in the question is an instance of symmetric encryption (Option A).
In symmetric encryption, a single key is used for both encrypting and decrypting the message. The systems administrator uses a key to encrypt the message before sending it to their peer in a different branch office. The peer then uses the same key to decrypt the message and access its contents.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
B. Asymmetric encryption involves the use of two different keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. In the given example, only one key is used for both processes, making it symmetric encryption.
C. Hashing is a one-way process that generates a fixed-size output (hash) from an input message. It does not involve encryption or decryption and does not use keys. Hashing is used for integrity verification and password storage, not for secure communication.
D. Salting is a technique used in conjunction with hashing to add randomness to the input before hashing. It helps protect against rainbow table attacks and makes password cracking more difficult. Salting is not related to the encryption and decryption process described in the example.
In summary, the use of a single key for both encrypting and decrypting the message exchanged between the systems administrator and their peer in a different branch office is a clear example of symmetric encryption.
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