key pair

nouncandidate·updated May 9, 2026

GlossaryL1 — what DictionaryL2 — how used ThesaurusL3 — relations Universaleverything

Two mathematically related keys having the properties that (1) one key can be used to encrypt a message that can only be decrypted using the other key, and 2) even knowing one key, it is computationally infeasible to discover the other key.

Framework senses

6 senses across 5 frameworks

National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) Cybersecurity Lexicon1 senseview framework →

§1 · extended_definition_available: A public key and its corresponding private key.

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 22 sensesview framework →

§1: Two mathematically related keys having the properties that (1) one key can be used to encrypt a message that can only be decrypted using the other key, and 2) even knowing one key, it is computationally infeasible to discover the other key.
§2 · sense_2_pending_review: A public key and its corresponding private key; a key pair is used with a public key algorithm.

CNSSI-4009 (Glossary of Information Assurance Terms)1 senseview framework →

§1: A public key and its corresponding private key; a key pair is used with a public key algorithm.

NIST SP 800-321 senseview framework →

§1: Two mathematically related keys having the properties that (1) one key can be used to encrypt a message that can only be decrypted using the other key, and 2) even knowing one key, it is computationally infeasible to discover the other key.

NIST SP 800-211 senseview framework →

§1: A public key and its corresponding private key; a key pair is used with a public key algorithm.