What is the difference between "asymmetric cryptography" and "asymmetric key cryptosystem" terminology?
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1$\begingroup$ The first is the general technology, the second a more concrete use case where these technologies get applied in a specific way. See Wikipedia: Cryptosystem. $\endgroup$– Steffen UllrichCommented Aug 26, 2019 at 5:43
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2 Answers
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The basic definitions from Wikipedia.
Cryptography or cryptology is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties called adversaries.
In cryptography, a cryptosystem is a suite of cryptographic algorithms needed to implement a particular security service, most commonly for achieving confidentiality (encryption)
Public-key cryptography, or asymmetric cryptography, is a cryptographic system that uses pairs of keys: public keys which may be disseminated widely, and private keys which are known only to the owner.
Asymmetric Cryptography is the general technology to study techniques for securing communication with public-key Cryptography. Eg. public-key encryption, digital signatures.
Asymmetric Key Cryptosystem is the suite of asymmetric cryptographic algorithms applied. Eg. RSA, ECC.
answered Sep 14, 2019 at 14:55
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‘Cryptosystem’ refers to a more specific thing, like the RSAES-OAEP cryptosystem. ‘Cryptography’ refers more generally to the field of study, or to the collection of tools.
If you're reading a particular source on the subject, and it seems to be drawing a finer distinction that this doesn't illuminate, you'll need to share the original source.
answered Sep 14, 2019 at 14:33