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Which type of algorithm is considered to have the highe…

Which type of algorithm is considered to have the highest strength per bit of key length of any of the
asymmetric algorithms?

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A.
Rivest, Shamir, Adleman (RSA)

B.
El Gamal

C.
Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

D.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

Explanation:
Elliptic curves are rich mathematical structures that have shown usefulness in many different types of
applications. An elliptic curve cryptosystem (ECC) provides much of the same functionality RSA provides:
digital signatures, secure key distribution, and encryption. One differing factor is ECC’s efficiency. ECC is more
efficient than RSA and any other asymmetric algorithm.
Some devices have limited processing capacity, storage, power supply, and bandwidth, such as wireless
devices and cellular telephones. With these types of devices, efficiency of resource use is very important. ECC
provides encryption functionality, requiring a smaller percentage of the resources compared to RSA and other
algorithms, so it is used in these types of devices.
In most cases, the longer the key, the more protection that is provided, but ECC can provide the same level of
protection with a key size that is shorter than what RSA requires. Because longer keys require more resources
to perform mathematical tasks, the smaller keys used in ECC require fewer resources of the device.
Incorrect Answers:A: Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) has a higher strength per bit of key length than RSA.
B: Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) has a higher strength per bit of key length than El Gamal.
D: Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) has a higher strength per bit of key length than AES.

Harris, Shon, All In One CISSP Exam Guide, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2013, pp. 818-819


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