RSA Algorithm: Facts and Statements | CCIE Security Exam | Cisco

RSA Algorithm

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Question

Which three statements about the RSA algorithm are true? (Choose three.)

Answers

A. The RSA algorithm provides encryption but not authentication.

B. The RSA algorithm provides authentication but not encryption.

C. The RSA algorithm creates a pair of public-private keys that are shared by entities that perform encryption.

D. The private key is never sent across after it is generated.

E. The public key is used to decrypt the message that was encrypted by the private key.

F. The private key is used to decrypt the message that was encrypted by the public key.

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Explanations

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A. B. C. D. E. F.

CDF.

The RSA algorithm is a widely used public-key encryption algorithm that was first introduced by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman in 1978. RSA is named after the first letters of their last names. Here are the explanations of the given statements:

A. The RSA algorithm provides encryption but not authentication. This statement is false. The RSA algorithm can provide both encryption and authentication. In fact, RSA can be used for digital signatures, which provide authentication, integrity, and non-repudiation.

B. The RSA algorithm provides authentication but not encryption. This statement is false. The RSA algorithm can provide both encryption and authentication.

C. The RSA algorithm creates a pair of public-private keys that are shared by entities that perform encryption. This statement is true. The RSA algorithm uses a pair of public-private keys to encrypt and decrypt data. The public key is shared among entities that want to send encrypted data, while the private key is kept secret and used by the recipient to decrypt the data.

D. The private key is never sent across after it is generated. This statement is true. The private key is kept secret and never sent across the network. It is used only by the owner of the key pair to decrypt the data that was encrypted using the public key.

E. The public key is used to decrypt the message that was encrypted by the private key. This statement is false. The public key is used to encrypt the message, while the private key is used to decrypt it.

F. The private key is used to decrypt the message that was encrypted by the public key. This statement is true. The private key is used to decrypt the message that was encrypted using the public key. Only the owner of the private key can decrypt the data.

In summary, the RSA algorithm is a public-key encryption algorithm that creates a pair of public-private keys. The public key is used to encrypt the message, while the private key is used to decrypt it. The private key is kept secret and never sent across the network. RSA can provide both encryption and authentication.

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