What does ECDH combine with to facilitate encryption?

ECDH, or Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman, is a key exchange protocol that allows two parties to generate a shared secret over an insecure channel. The key aspect of ECDH is that it combines the principles of elliptic curve cryptography with the Diffie-Hellman key exchange mechanism. This combination enables the secure sharing of cryptographic keys.

By leveraging the mathematical properties of elliptic curves, ECDH provides a mechanism for two parties to derive a shared key that can later be used for symmetric encryption. This method is advantageously secure even with shorter key lengths compared to traditional methods, which enhances performance and efficiency.

In the context of the question, understanding that ECDH specifically integrates elliptic curve techniques with Diffie-Hellman is essential to appreciate how it facilitates encryption. The shared secret generated from this interaction serves as the basis for symmetric encryption algorithms, ensuring secure communication between the parties.