Asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key cryptography, involves two keys: a public key, which can be shared widely, and a private key, which is kept confidential. The public key is used for encryption, and the private key is used for decryption. This method is scalable because it allows for secure communication over an open network without the need for the parties to share secret keys in advance. While asymmetric encryption is generally slower than symmetric encryption due to the complex mathematical computations involved, it provides a high level of security and is essential for tasks such as digital signatures and establishing secure connections over the internet1234.
References:
* GeeksforGeeks provides a detailed explanation of asymmetric key cryptography, including its characteristics and how it addresses key distribution and digital signatures1.
* Dashlane's blog offers a complete guide to asymmetric encryption, its definition, uses, and how it works2.
* Kiteworks explains the difference between public and private key encryption and the use of asymmetric
* encryption on the internet3.
* Cloudflare discusses asymmetric encryption and its role in securing web communications through protocols like TLS4.