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What is Data Encryption?
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Difference between Private key and Public key

Last Updated : 02 Sep, 2024
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Cryptography as a field emphasizes the need to guarantee secure communication and data privacy. There are mainly two approaches available to perform this operation: – Private Key Cryptography (RIC or Symmetric Key Cryptography) and Public Key Cryptography (PKE or Asymmetric Key Cryptography). Although they are used to protect information, they work differently and have certain benefits and drawbacks. In this article, the key focus is on understanding the key aspects of a private and public key as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using them.

Cryptography is the science of secret writing to keep the data secret. Cryptography is classified into symmetric cryptography, asymmetric cryptography, and hashing. 

What is a Private Key?

Private key Encryption, also termed as symmetric Key Encryption requires the key that is used to lock and the key used to unlock the message. This key must be kept concealed between the two communicating entities to have reasonable security.

Advantages of Private Key Encryption

  • Speed: These algorithms are faster as compared to asymmetric encryption algorithms and hence used for encrypting large volumes of data.
  • Less Computational Power: In another way, it is advantageous since it requires fewer calculations which makes it suitable for real-time use.

Limitations of Private Key Encryption

  • Key Distribution Problem: The first and perhaps the major limitation is how to securely transfer the said key among the parties. The problem with this event is that the key is useless if it is intercepted, meaning that the security is lost.
  • Scalability Issues: That is why as the number of the users raises key management becomes more complicated and thus it is not very scalable for large systems.

What is Public Key?

Public Key Encryption, or Asymmetric Encryption, involves a pair of keys: There is the public key that is relatively known and the private key which is kept secret. While the public key where everyone can get it from the internet is for encoding or encryption, the private key is employed for decoding, decryption.

Advantages of Public Key Encryption

  • Enhanced Security: The application of two keys means that there is no problem of secure key distribution since with the public key anyone can encrypt the message while the private key can only be known by the recipient.
  • Digital Signatures: The use of public key cryptography is employed to back up the concept of digital signatures hence ensuring true and complete message.

Disadvantages of Public Key Encryption

  • Slower Performance: Asymmetric algorithms generally are slower and considerably more resource-hungry as compared to symmetric algorithms.
  • Complexity: Another disadvantage that has been agreed upon is that the management and application of public key infrastructure can be complicated.

Which Encryption Key Type Is More Secure?

It should therefore be appreciated that there solved security of encryption methods is dependent on the application is use in. As mentioned earlier, public Key encryption is more appropriate for key distribution as well as authentications since it will be using two keys. However, the use of the private key for encryption of data proves to be secure due to the increased speed and efficiency.

Difference Between Private Key and Public Key

Private KeyPublic Key
The private key is faster than the public key.It is slower than a private key.
In this, the same key (secret key) and algorithm are used to encrypt and decrypt the message.In public-key cryptography, two keys are used, one key is used for encryption, and the other is used for decryption.
In private key cryptography, the key is kept a secret.In public-key cryptography, one of the two keys is kept a secret.
The private key is Symmetrical because there is only one key that is called a secret key.The public key is Asymmetrical because there are two types of keys: private and public keys.
In this cryptography, the sender and receiver need to share the same key.In this cryptography, the sender and receiver do not need to share the same key.
In this cryptography, the key is private.In this cryptography, the public key can be public and a private key is private.
It is an efficient technology.It is an inefficient technology.
It is used for large amounts of text.It is used for only short messages.
There is the possibility of losing the key that renders the systems void.There is less possibility of key loss, as the key is held publicly.
The private key is to be shared between two parties.The public key can be used by anyone.
The Performance testing checks the reliability, scalability, and speed of the system.The Load testing checks the sustainability of the system.
The private key is used in algorithms such as AES 128, AES 192 and AES 256.The public key is used in algorithms such as RSA, DSA, etc.
The private key is kept secret.The public key is widely distributed.
It is used to protect disk drives and other data storage devices.It is used to secure web sessions and emails.
The recipient's private key decrypts the message.The recipient's public key encrypts the message.
If the private key is the locking key, then the system can be used to verify documents sent by the holder of the private key.If the public key is the locking key, then it can be used to send private communication.

Conclusion

In the context of information security, there are private as well as public key cryptographic systems that are at work. Private key encryption is effective and fast and therefore the only disadvantage is that key distribution and scalability become issues. A big strength for public key encryption is the security it provides and how it is simpler for the key management. Knowledge of these differences aids in the selection process of the suitability of particular encryption type given the objectives encountered and to be met.


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