Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-300) Practice Exam

What type of key pair is used in asymmetric encryption?

1. Public key and private key

2. Symmetric key and secret key

3. Encryption and decryption key

4. Master key and session key

The correct answer is: Public key and private key

In asymmetric encryption, a key pair consisting of a public key and a private key is utilized. This dual-key structure is fundamental to asymmetric encryption because it allows secure communication between parties without needing to exchange secret keys. The public key can be shared openly, enabling anyone to encrypt a message intended for the key pair's owner. However, only the corresponding private key can decrypt that message, ensuring that even if the public key is widely distributed, only the key holder has access to the private key needed to read the content. This mechanism enhances security by separating the key used for encryption from the key used for decryption, making it much harder for malicious actors to intercept and decrypt sensitive information. As a result, the correct answer is the use of a public key along with a private key in asymmetric encryption.