Definition: Kerberos is a software implementation that securely authenticates users with their credentials. It's used by organizations to ensure secure access to systems, databases, or other resources. Detailed definitions: 1. Kerberos (pronounced "k-ray-ber") is a protocol developed by IBM and the Open Group for authentication using key exchange. 2. A key exchange occurs when two parties (often named Alice and Bob) share their public keys in order to authenticate each other. The secret key, which is derived from an authenticated certificate issued by a trusted authority, is used as a unique identifier for the participant. 3. In a secure environment, Kerberos requires that both parties sign their public keys with the shared key. This creates a "cookie" that can be exchanged between the Alice and Bob using a secret mechanism (such as hashing) to establish a connection. 4. The cookie is then used by both parties in a two-factor authentication process when attempting to log on, requiring them to provide the public key of one or both parties. 5. Kerberos also provides error handling and recovery mechanisms for lost keys. If either party fails to exchange their public keys during the initial handshake (the "initial handshake" phase), they must manually sign their keys with an alternative method.

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