Secure Shell Key
An SSH key is a cryptographic key pair (public + private) used to authenticate to SSH-enabled systems (Linux servers, network devices) — a more secure alternative to password authentication for remote server access.
⚙️ How Does It Work?
The public key is stored on the target server; the private key is held by the user or application. Authentication works by the client proving possession of the private key through a cryptographic challenge — no password is transmitted.
📍 Where Is It Used?
Linux/Unix server administration, DevOps automation, Git access, CI/CD pipelines, network device management.
💡 Real-World Example
A company has 10,000 SSH public keys spread across 500 Linux servers — most are unmapped to specific users or use cases, and 40% belong to former employees. A PAM SSH key management audit discovers the sprawl; centralized management removes 6,000 unauthorized keys, dramatically reducing the attack surface.
🔗 Related Terms
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