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Ephemeral Key

Abbreviation(s) and Synonym(s):

None

Definition(s):

  A cryptographic key that is generated for each execution of a key-establishment process and that meets other requirements of the key type (e.g., unique to each message or session).
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-57 Part 2 Rev.1

  A cryptographic key that is generated for each execution of a key-establishment process and that meets other requirements of the key type (e.g., unique to each message or session). In some cases, ephemeral keys are used more than once within a single session (e.g., for broadcast applications) where the sender generates only one ephemeral key pair per message, and the private key is combined separately with each recipient’s public key.
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-57 Part 1 Rev. 4 under Ephemeral key [Superseded]

  A cryptographic key that is generated for each execution of a cryptographic process (e.g., key establishment) and that meets other requirements of the key type (e.g., unique to each message or session).
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-57 Part 1 Rev. 5 under Ephemeral key

  A cryptographic key that is generated for each execution of a key- establishment process and that meets other requirements of the key type (e.g., unique to each message or session). In some cases, ephemeral keys are used more than once within a single session (e.g., broadcast applications) where the sender generates only one ephemeral key pair per message, and the private key is combined separately with each recipient’s public key.
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-57 Part 1 Rev. 3 under Ephemeral key [Superseded]