
Public Keys in Cryptography: Key Concepts Explained
Introduction to Public Keys
A public key is an encrypted code essential for enabling secure communication, data integrity, and identity verification in public key cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography. This groundbreaking cryptographic system, which relies on two distinct but mathematically related keys—a public key and a private key—has transformed the way digital security operates across numerous industries. Together, these keys enable secure data exchange, digital signatures, and authentication, forming the foundation of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
Public key cryptography is pivotal to modern technologies, including PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security), and blockchain-based cryptocurrencies. It ensures essential security properties like confidentiality, authentication, data integrity, and non-repudiation, addressing the limitations of older, symmetric cryptographic methods.