Information, Computer and Network Security Terms Glossary and Dictionary

IV: Initialization Vector

An initialization vector (IV), also known as Initialization Value, is a term in Cryptography. IV is a block of bits that is combined with the first block of data in any of several modes of a block cipher. In some cryptosystems, it is random and is sent with the ciphertext; in others, such as a disk encryption subsystem, it is based on some info, such as the file's inode, that does not have to be put in the ciphertext.

Related Terms

IV: Initialization Vector