serverkey

ServerKey is a term used in computing to denote a cryptographic key associated with a server that is used to establish trust, authenticate the server to clients, or sign data. In many contexts it refers to the private key that accompanies a server's public certificate, but it can also refer to server-side keys used for code signing or to secret API keys bound to a server instance.

In TLS/SSL deployments, the server holds a private key paired with its X.509 certificate. During the handshake the server proves possession of the private key, enabling clients to verify the server’s identity via the certificate's chain of trust. The corresponding public key is embedded in the certificate and is used by clients to encrypt data or verify signatures. Key sizes commonly range from 2048 to 4096 bits for RSA, or use elliptic curve keys for ECDSA, depending on policy.

Key management is critical. Keys should be generated by trusted authorities or securely by the organization, stored in protected locations such as hardware security modules or secure key stores, and access limited to authorized processes. Regular rotation and timely revocation of compromised keys are standard practices. Backup, recovery, and strict audit logging are also important.

Some systems also use server-side tokens or API keys to authenticate to or from a server, which are separate from TLS keys but play a similar role in identifying the server or granting access. Best practices emphasize keeping private material confidential, isolating servers, and employing layered authentication.