= Key encapsulation mechanism
{wiki=Key_encapsulation_mechanism}
A Key Encapsulation Mechanism (KEM) is a cryptographic primitive used to securely encapsulate a symmetric key for encryption and decryption purposes. It allows for the secure exchange of symmetric keys between parties in a way that protects them from eavesdroppers. KEMs play a fundamental role in hybrid encryption schemes, where asymmetric cryptography is used to encrypt symmetric keys, which are then used to encrypt the actual message data.
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