What does symmetric encryption involve?

Symmetric encryption involves using a single shared key for both the encryption and decryption processes. This means that both the sender and the receiver must have access to this key in order to communicate securely. When data is encrypted with this key, only someone who possesses the same key can decrypt it and access the original information.

This method is efficient for encrypting large amounts of data because the same key is utilized throughout the process, simplifying key management and allowing for rapid encryption and decryption. The security of symmetric encryption relies heavily on the secrecy of the shared key; if it is exposed, anyone with access to the key can decrypt the data.

Other options listed do not accurately describe symmetric encryption. For instance, using separate keys for each party involved refers to asymmetric encryption, where a public key is used for encryption and a different private key is required for decryption. Similarly, using only public keys for encryption is characteristic of asymmetric systems, and relying solely on random number generation processes does not inherently relate to the principles of symmetric encryption, which specifically requires a shared key.