PKI Encryption Methods for Secure Key Protection | Exam SY0-601 | CompTIA Security+

PKI Encryption Methods

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Which of the following encryption methods does PKI typically use to securely protect keys?

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C.

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) is a security framework that provides secure communication by using digital certificates, digital signatures, and encryption. The primary purpose of PKI is to secure communication by allowing two parties to establish a secure communication channel without having to share a secret key.

To securely protect keys, PKI typically uses asymmetric encryption, which is also known as public-key cryptography. In asymmetric encryption, there are two keys, a public key and a private key. The public key is available to everyone, while the private key is only known to the owner. The public key can be used to encrypt data, while the private key can be used to decrypt the data. The public key can also be used to verify digital signatures, while the private key can be used to create digital signatures.

PKI uses asymmetric encryption to protect keys by creating a key pair, which consists of a public key and a private key. The private key is kept secret, while the public key is distributed to anyone who needs it. When a message needs to be encrypted, the sender uses the recipient's public key to encrypt the message. When the recipient receives the message, they use their private key to decrypt the message. This ensures that only the intended recipient can read the message.

PKI also uses digital signatures to provide non-repudiation. A digital signature is a mathematical technique used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a message or document. A digital signature is created by using the sender's private key to encrypt a message or document. The recipient can then use the sender's public key to decrypt the digital signature and verify the authenticity and integrity of the message or document.

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is a type of public-key cryptography that uses elliptic curves instead of prime numbers to generate keys. While ECC can be used for key protection, it is not typically used in PKI.

Obfuscation is a technique used to make code or data more difficult to understand. While obfuscation can be used to protect keys, it is not typically used in PKI.

In conclusion, PKI typically uses asymmetric encryption to securely protect keys. Digital signatures are also used to provide non-repudiation. Elliptic curve cryptography and obfuscation are not typically used in PKI for key protection.