TERM

private key

A cryptographic key that must be kept confidential and is used to enable the operation of an asymmetric (public key) cryptographic algorithm.

Updated

Jan 06, 2026

Senses

Sense 1

A cryptographic key that must be kept confidential and is used to enable the operation of an asymmetric (public key) cryptographic algorithm. The secret part of an asymmetric key pair that is uniquely associated with an entity.

A cryptographic key that must be kept confidential and is used to enable the operation of an asymmetric (public key) cryptographic algorithm.

The secret part of an asymmetric key pair that is uniquely associated with an entity.

NICCS (CISA) Cybersecurity Vocabulary

Bibliography

NICCS (CISA) Cybersecurity Vocabulary
Accessed Jan 06, 2026Quoted
NICCS glossary export (CSV)
https://niccs.cisa.gov/rest/vocab/export-csv
NICCS is a CISA (DHS) program. Individual glossary entries include a "From" attribution (e.g., CNSSI 4009, NIST SPs, NICE Framework). Treat "From" values as upstream provenance and verify before quoting large portions of text.
Source: NICCS (CISA) Cybersecurity Vocabulary (niccs.cisa.gov).