Which type of cryptography requires the same key for both encryption and decryption?

Symmetric cryptography is the correct answer because it uses a single key for both the encryption and decryption processes. This means that the sender and recipient must both possess the same secret key and keep it confidential. In this type of cryptographic system, the same algorithm is applied to the plaintext using the key to create ciphertext, and the same key is then used with the algorithm to revert the ciphertext back to plaintext. This method is often faster and more efficient than asymmetric cryptography because it involves simpler mathematical computations.

In contrast, asymmetric cryptography, also known as public key cryptography, uses a pair of keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This two-key approach enhances security but introduces complexity and is generally slower than symmetric techniques.

Public key encryption specifically refers to asymmetric cryptography, further emphasizing the use of different keys for encryption and decryption. Hash-based cryptography, on the other hand, does not involve keys for encryption or decryption at all; instead, it creates a fixed-size hash value from data, which provides integrity checking rather than confidentiality.

Thus, the defining characteristic of symmetric cryptography is the use of one shared key for both operations, making it essential for scenarios where speed and simplicity are