Time-Based Cryptography

Definition ∞ Time-Based Cryptography involves cryptographic protocols and primitives whose security or functionality depends on the passage of a specific amount of time. These systems often incorporate delays or time-locks, requiring a certain duration to pass before an operation can be completed or a secret revealed. This reliance on time can enhance security by making brute-force attacks economically impractical or by enabling scheduled disclosures. It leverages the dimension of time for security.
Context ∞ Time-based cryptography is a subject in news related to advanced security mechanisms, such as verifiable delay functions, time-lock puzzles, and certain types of secure multi-party computation. Discussions about preventing censorship, ensuring fair access to information, or creating trustless randomness often touch upon these concepts. The integration of time as a cryptographic parameter represents an important area of research and development for robust digital systems.