What constitutes a key pair in PKI?

A key pair in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) consists of two keys: a public key and a private key. These keys are mathematically related, which means that data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted with the corresponding private key, and vice versa. This relationship enables secure communication, as the public key can be shared openly while the private key remains confidential and secure.

The integrity of this system relies on the strength of the mathematical algorithms used to generate these keys, ensuring that even if someone has access to the public key, they cannot easily derive the private key. The dual nature of the keys allows for various security functionalities, such as encryption for confidentiality and digital signatures for authentication and integrity, making this pairing fundamental to the functioning of PKI systems.