Asymmetric Encryption

Abstract

An asymmetric encryption scheme uses two different keys, a private one and a public one. While the public key is used for encryption and may be known by others, the private key is used for decryption and must be kept secret. The widespread public critical systems are based on the integer factorization problem or the discrete logarithm problem over finite fields and elliptic curve. The minimal key length and the required size of the involved parameters should be chosen according to the current regulation or best practice advice. Current public cryptosystems are considered secure against classical computers, but most of those commonly used today will be broken by attacks from not yet existing powerful quantum computers.