Glossary

Learn about data security, encryption, hashing and encoding in our knowledge base.

Key exchange

Key exchange, also known as key establishment, is the process of exchanging keys between two or more parties in order to establish a secure communication channel. Key exchange is an important aspect of cryptography and is used to establish a shared secret between the parties that can be used to secure their communication.

There are several methods for key exchange, including:

  • Manually exchanging keys: This involves physically exchanging the keys between the parties, such as through the use of a secure channel or a trusted third party.

  • Key exchange protocols: These are protocols that are designed to securely exchange keys over a network. Examples include the Diffie-Hellman key exchange and the Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) key exchange.

  • Public key infrastructure (PKI): This involves the use of digital certificates and certificate authorities (CAs) to establish trust and exchange keys.

It is important to use secure methods for key exchange in order to ensure the security of the communication channel. If the keys are compromised or exchanged improperly, the security of the communication may be at risk.