Primary definition
Value used to control cryptographic operations, such as decryption, encryption, signature generation or signature verification.
Also known askey · crypto key · encryption key · decryption key · signing key · verification key · private key · public key · secret key · symmetric key · asymmetric key
3 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 10, 2026
— EAC Glossary of TermsView source
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EAC
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Value used to control cryptographic operations, such as decryption, encryption, signature generation or signature verification.
EAC Glossary of Terms · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Cryptographic Key. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 21, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/cryptographic-key
Sources
3 cited · last checked Aug 10, 2026
01
EAC Glossary of Terms
EAC Glossary of Terms
High consensus
02
NIST Election Glossary
NIST Election Glossary
Multi-source
03
The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary
Multi-source
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