Fundamentals of InfoSecintermediate
A student says that a key and a cipher are the same thing. Explain the distinction.
Answer
A cipher is the algorithm or set of rules used to encrypt and decrypt. A key is the value or method used with the cipher to control the transformation. They work together but are not the same component.
Explanation
### The concept
A cipher describes how a transformation works. A key supplies the particular instructions or value that makes an instance of the transformation specific. Encryption uses both the cipher and key to create ciphertext. Confusing them hides an important security distinction: a known algorithm can still protect data when the secret key remains protected.
### What a good answer covers
- A cipher is a rule or algorithm.
- A key is used with the cipher to control the transformation.
- Encryption depends on their combined use.
- Cipher and key are related but distinct.
### Terms
- **Key**: information or instructions used with a cipher to control encryption or decryption.
### Remember
The cipher tells how; the key determines the particular transformation.
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