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Asymmetric Encryption - CI/CD Glossary Definition

Asymmetric encryption uses a mathematically linked key pair - a public key to encrypt or verify and a private key to decrypt or sign - so parties can communicate securely without sharing a secret.

Where it fits

Asymmetric algorithms like RSA and elliptic curve are slower than symmetric ones, so they are used to exchange keys and sign data rather than to bulk-encrypt.

In CI/CD

JWT and OIDC token signatures, TLS handshakes, and SSH keys all rely on asymmetric key pairs to prove identity without a shared secret.

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