Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) Practice Test

Asymmetric Key cryptography, also known as public-key cryptography, is characterized by the use of two distinct keys: a public key and a private key. The security of this method is fundamentally based on mathematical problems that are difficult to solve, particularly those involving large prime numbers.

When utilizing asymmetric key cryptography, the public key can be freely distributed and used to encrypt data, while only the corresponding private key, which remains confidential, can decrypt that data. The reliance on large prime numbers is crucial because the difficulty of certain mathematical operations, such as factoring the product of two large primes, underpins the security of the encryption method. This characteristic makes it challenging for an unauthorized party to derive the private key from the public key, ensuring secure communications.

In contrast, features such as speed and efficiency are generally associated with symmetric key cryptography, which tends to be faster because it uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. Identical keys are not part of asymmetric cryptography, too, as the whole premise relies on the use of a pair of different keys. Additionally, while the initial exchange of keys can sometimes be challenging in asymmetric systems, it does not necessitate physical exchange between parties, as the public key can be shared over an