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Training Camp • Cybersecurity Glossary
A small block of data that is generated using a secret key and then appended to the message used to address integrity.
Message authentication code MAC Definition: A small block of data that is generated using a secret key and then appended to the message used to address integrity.
A small block of data that is generated using a secret key and then appended to the message used to address integrity. A MAC is a cryptographic checksum generated from a message and a secret key allowing recipients with the same key to verify both data integrity and authenticity. Unlike digital signatures MACs use symmetric keys and dont provide non-repudiation. Common MAC algorithms include HMAC CMAC and GMAC. MAC usage is specified in standards like FIPS 198 HMAC NIST SP 800-38B and ISO/IEC 9797. Organizations implement MACs to protect message integrity in communications file transfers stored data and cryptographic protocols. For example a financial application might calculate and attach HMACs to all transaction messages allowing recipients to verify that transaction details havent been altered during transmission and originated from a legitimate source possessing the shared secret key. Related terms HMAC Integrity Cryptography Symmetric key Digital signature Data authentication Cryptographic hash function.
Message authentication code MAC is one of the topics you'll master in the Security+ Boot Camp.
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