Definition
An elliptic curve key pair consists of a secret (private) integer and a publicly known point on a curve.
Background
Generally speaking, keys are the entity-specific information in a public-key mechanism. In methods based on elliptic curves, the keys commonly consist of a private integer k and a public multiple kP on a curve. Together with parameters common to all key pairs, the private portion is used in signature generation and decryption, and the public portion is used in signature verification and encryption.
Applications
Key pairs for elliptic curve cryptography are associated with a set of domain parametersD = (q, FR, S, a, b, P, n, h),which consist of:
- 1.
The order q of the underlying field \({\mathbb{F}}_{q}\).
- 2.
An indication FR of the representation used for the elements of \({\mathbb{F}}_{q}\).
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Recommended Reading
FIPSÂ 186-3 (2009) Digital signature standard (DSS), Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 186-3, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Maryland Gaithersburg
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Hankerson, D., Menezes, A. (2011). Elliptic Curve Keys. In: van Tilborg, H.C.A., Jajodia, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cryptography and Security. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5906-5_248
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5906-5_248
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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