What are SSH keys?
Secure Socket Shell (SSH) is a cryptographic network protocol that provides authentication between the server and the client to allow users to securely access network services over an unsecured network. SSH protects information by using public keys to encrypt data and private keys to decrypt them. Instead of logging into a server with a username and password, administrators usually authenticate with SSH keys.
All enterprise organizations use SSH keys to authenticate users and establish trusted access to systems. SSH keys are commonly used to automate file transforms and allow for secure management of routers, applications servers, firewalls, virtual machines, cloud instances, and more.
SSH keys simplify permission management by allowing administrators to grant access to groups of users based on their role or other qualifications. SSH keys also allow for easy access revocation when employees no longer work at the company. However, if compromised, SSH keys can be used by cyber criminals to gain privileged access to servers. The significance of SSH keys requires administrators to pay attention to where SSH keys are stored and how they are managed.
