{"id":3051,"date":"2022-10-14T17:28:51","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T17:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/?p=3051"},"modified":"2022-10-14T17:28:55","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T17:28:55","slug":"what-is-a-private-key-in-cybersecurity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/what-is-a-private-key-in-cybersecurity\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Private Key? A 90-Second Look at Secret Keys in Cybersecurity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In a world where cyber attacks <a href=\"https:\/\/pages.checkpoint.com\/cyber-security-report-2022.html\">increase 50% year over year<\/a>, your data need security, and security need private keys. Explore what a secret key is and its role in protecting your organization &amp; data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passwordless authentication, digital certificates, and encryption are all examples of how you can improve your organization\u2019s cyber security. What do they have in common? Their reliance on a secret tool known as a cryptographic private key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find out in a flash what a private key is and how it aids your cybersecurity. Ready? Start the clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Private Key? A Quick Definition of a Private Key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A private key is a secret, randomly generated string of alphanumeric characters that\u2019s used to secure data and assert your verifiable identity online. (I.e., it proves your identity and keeps your data secure.) How? By creating digital signatures and encrypting and\/or decrypting data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A private key:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Must be kept secret, meaning that no one but you should have access to it.<\/li><li>Is used in asymmetric or public key encryption (more on that in a sec).<\/li><li>Is used to carry out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/docs\/en\/ztpf\/2020?topic=concepts-symmetric-cryptography\">symmetric encryption<\/a> (i.e., encrypting and decrypting data using the same key).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s a quick look at how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"947\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-symmetric-encryption-works-private-key.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-symmetric-encryption-works-private-key.png 947w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-symmetric-encryption-works-private-key-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-symmetric-encryption-works-private-key-560x244.png 560w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-symmetric-encryption-works-private-key-940x410.png 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 947px) 100vw, 947px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u200b\u200b<em>Image caption: The graphic shows an example of symmetric encryption with a shared secret key that both parties know<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Private Key Is Related to a Public Key (But Is Mathematically Different)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A secret key is half of a what\u2019s known as a public-private key pair. The other half, as you may have guessed, in the public key. But how are these two keys different? A public key:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Is publicly known, meaning that anyone can access it because it\u2019s not a secret.<\/li><li>Is used in <a href=\"https:\/\/cheapsslsecurity.com\/blog\/what-is-asymmetric-encryption-understand-with-simple-examples\/\">asymmetric encryption<\/a> (i.e., data is encrypted using a public key and decrypted using a private key)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"972\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-asymmetric-encryption-works-private-key.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-asymmetric-encryption-works-private-key.png 972w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-asymmetric-encryption-works-private-key-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-asymmetric-encryption-works-private-key-560x248.png 560w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-asymmetric-encryption-works-private-key-940x416.png 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Image caption: This is how asymmetric encryption works. The data are encrypted using a public key and decrypted using a private key.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/docs\/en\/ztpf\/2020?topic=concepts-symmetric-cryptography\"><\/a>A Secret Key Is Only as Effective If You Keep It Secure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Okay, this part is really important:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The security of a private key is directly proportional to its length and complexity.<\/li><li>You must keep the key secure. This entails carefully managing and storing your secret keys to keep them out of the hands of unauthorized users (e.g., cybercriminals).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"948\" height=\"544\" src=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/key-sizes-security-levels.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/key-sizes-security-levels.png 948w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/key-sizes-security-levels-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/key-sizes-security-levels-560x321.png 560w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/key-sizes-security-levels-940x539.png 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 948px) 100vw, 948px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Image caption: The graphic shows a few examples of private key sizes. The bigger the key is, the higher its level of security.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is the Role of Private Keys in Cybersecurity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A private key helps you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Encrypt and\/or decrypt data<\/li><li>Assert your digital identity<\/li><li>Protect the integrity of your data<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Encrypt and\/or Decrypt Data to Keep It Secure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This protects the data and files you send and\/or receive via the Internet, which helps to protect it against access by unauthorized users (such as via man-in-the-middle attacks). Here&#8217;s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/secure-data-in-transit-prevent-mitm-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3056\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/secure-data-in-transit-prevent-mitm-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/secure-data-in-transit-prevent-mitm-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/secure-data-in-transit-prevent-mitm-560x314.png 560w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/secure-data-in-transit-prevent-mitm-940x528.png 940w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/secure-data-in-transit-prevent-mitm.png 1049w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Image caption: With a private key, you can decrypt an encrypted email message.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Assert Your Digital Identity in a Verifiable Way (Proving Your Identity)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can add your digital identity to website connections, software, files, emails, and other digital assets. It helps recipients and users know they\u2019re talking to the right party and using legitimate websites or software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/private-key-digital-identity-1024x552.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/private-key-digital-identity-1024x552.png 1024w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/private-key-digital-identity-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/private-key-digital-identity-560x302.png 560w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/private-key-digital-identity-940x507.png 940w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/private-key-digital-identity.png 1055w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Image caption: The graphic shows the utilization of a secret key in establishing an HTTPS secure connection.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protect Data Integrity Using Cryptographic Functions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your private key plays a crucial role (along with <a href=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/hash-function-in-cryptography-how-does-it-work\/\">hashing<\/a>) in protecting the integrity of your data. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/page\/windows-code-signing-certificate\/\">code signing<\/a> enables you to prove to your customers that your published software is authentic and hasn&#8217;t been tampered with since your organization signed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/data-integrity-private-key.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/data-integrity-private-key.png 924w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/data-integrity-private-key-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/data-integrity-private-key-560x310.png 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 924px) 100vw, 924px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Image caption: The graphic shows how a secret key enables you to sign your code and assert your digital identity to keep your organization and customers safe when publishing software. Paired with a cryptographic hash function, it helps play a role in protecting the integrity of your software.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want to know more about private keys? Check out this great video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is a Private Key? (10 Things You Need to Know)\" width=\"940\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y_c6jd-aB3c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts on Private Keys in Cybersecurity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s clear to see why the private key is a critical part of cybersecurity. In the era of near-instantaneous digital communications, this secret tool enables you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Move toward a zero-trust architecture,<\/li><li>Assert your identity to increase customer trust,<\/li><li>Keep your organization\u2019s assets and customers\u2019 data secure from compromise,<\/li><li>Minimize the risks of attacks<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s not bad for just a small little key, right?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a world where cyber attacks increase 50% year over year, your data need security, and security need private keys. Explore what a secret key is and its role in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":3062,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"","tve_custom_css":"","tve_user_custom_css":"","tve_globals":{},"tcb2_ready":0,"tcb_editor_enabled":0,"tve_landing_page":"","_tve_header":"","_tve_footer":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[163,270],"class_list":["post-3051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-encryption","tag-private-key","tag-secret-key","post-with-tags"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is a Private Key? A 90-Second Look at Secret Keys in Cybersecurity - InfoSec Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A private key is the secret tool that only you should know that proves your identity and ownership of data, communications, or software.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/what-is-a-private-key-in-cybersecurity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is a Private Key? 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She has worked for leaders in the IT industry and Fortune 500 companies. A Certified CSPO mail application security product owner and a former application security engineer, she also works as a professional translator. She is a big fan of Ubuntu, traveling and Japan.\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Is a Private Key? A 90-Second Look at Secret Keys in Cybersecurity - InfoSec Insights","description":"A private key is the secret tool that only you should know that proves your identity and ownership of data, communications, or software.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/blog\/what-is-a-private-key-in-cybersecurity\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Is a Private Key? 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