Keys

A key is the secret information that is used by the cryptographic algorithm when creating and checking the digital signature. Usually, a pair of keys is used for a digital signature:

• Private key: this key is known only to the owner;

• Public key: this key is available to all users of the cryptographic system.

In Digital Signature algorithms the signature is signed with the secret key of a user and is verified with the public key. So anyone may check which user put this signature. Keys are bound with specific certificates.