Primary definition
Key used to encrypt plain text or to superencrypt previously encrypted text and/or to decrypt cipher text. Source: NSA/CSS Manual Number 3-16 (COMSEC)
Also known asTEK · Traffic Encryption Key · Encryption Key · Cipher Key
1 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 10, 2026
— Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015View source
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CNSSGC
Key used to encrypt plain text or to superencrypt previously encrypted text and/or to decrypt cipher text. Source: NSA/CSS Manual Number 3-16 (COMSEC)
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015 · 2024
Cite this term
Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Traffic Encryption (tek). In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/traffic-encryption-tek
Sources
1 cited · last checked Aug 10, 2026
01
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
Single-source
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