Cryptographic Key

nounverified·updated May 9, 2026

GlossaryL1 — what DictionaryL2 — how used ThesaurusL3 — relations Universaleverything

A parameter used in conjunction with a cryptographic algorithm that determines - the transformation of plaintext data into ciphertext data, - the transformation of ciphertext data into plaintext data, - a digital signature computed from data, - the verification of a digital signature computed from data, - an authentication code computed from data, or - an exchange agreement of a shared secret.

polysemousMWENISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2

Senses

4 more senses beyond the canonical

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2

A value used to control cryptographic operations, such as decryption, encryption, signature generation, or signature verification.

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2sense 2 pending review

S A binary string used as a secret parameter by a cryptographic algorithm. OURCE: SP 800-108

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2sense 3 pending review

A parameter used in conjunction with a cryptographic algorithm that determines the specific operation of that algorithm.

NIST SP 800-171r3attested usage pack match

No definition is given in NIST SP 800-171r3. The term is attested in use at 6 citations in that document; a definition is pending curation.

Classifications

per-axis with provenance

Entity Type

Credential90%rule-basedr:entity.credential.cert.v1

?unassignedlast reviewed —

Sensitivity

unclassified

Information Class

unclassified

Variants

3 surface forms

plural: Cryptographic Keys
possessive: Cryptographic Key's
pluralpossessive: Cryptographic Keys'

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