Cryptographic protocol facts for kids

A cryptographic protocol (also known as encryption protocol or security protocol) is an abstract or an existing protocol that performs a security-related function and applies cryptographic methods.

A protocol describes how the cryptographic algorithms should be used to secure information. The description of a protocol must include details about all data structures and representations, and all details about how to utilize the protocol by programs.

Cryptographic protocols are widely used for secure application-level data transport, in order to secure transferred messages. A cryptographic protocol usually has at least some of these features:

• Key generation.
• Entity authentication.
• Key agreement.
• Symmetric encryption of transferred messages using the agreed generated key.

The term cryptographic protocol is used in different ways. For example, cryptographic application protocols often use one or more underlying Key-agreement protocols which are also sometimes themselves referred to as "cryptographic protocols", like the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) which uses what is known as the Diffie-Hellman key exchange, Diffie-Hellman may be seen as a complete cryptographic protocol in itself for other applications.

Examples

• Diffie-Hellman key exchange
• Internet Key Exchange
• IPsec
• Kerberos V5

Related pages

• Secure channel

See also

In Spanish: Protocolo criptográfico para niños