Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

What type of encryption typically requires a third-party key management service?

1. Symmetric

2. Asymmetric

3. Stream

4. Block

The correct answer is: Asymmetric

Asymmetric encryption is indeed the correct response, as it fundamentally relies on two distinct keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is shared with anyone who wishes to communicate securely with the key owner, while the private key is kept confidential and is used to decrypt messages encrypted with the corresponding public key. This dual-key structure necessitates a robust method for managing and distributing these keys. Often, a third-party key management service (KMS) is utilized to facilitate this process. The KMS ensures that the public keys are securely distributed and the private keys are protected, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or key compromise. In contrast, symmetric encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. This means that key management is less complex because there’s only one key to handle, though secure distribution remains a challenge. Additionally, stream and block encryption are categories of symmetric encryption and share similar key management needs, avoiding the complexities encountered in asymmetric scenarios. Overall, the necessity for secure management, storage, and distribution of keys in asymmetric encryption makes the involvement of third-party key management services critical in this context.