What is a Pre-Shared Key (PSK) used for?

A Pre-Shared Key (PSK) is primarily used to establish a secure communication channel between devices on a network, particularly in wireless networking. The PSK acts as a shared secret that both the client and the access point know beforehand, enabling them to authenticate and securely connect with each other. This method is essential in encryption protocols, such as WPA2-PSK, where the PSK helps to protect data transmitted over the network by ensuring that only devices with the correct key can decrypt and send information.

While identifying users, monitoring traffic, and controlling access to services are important aspects of network security and management, they do not specifically relate to the function of a PSK. The primary role of a PSK is to ensure that the communication channel between devices is secure by enabling mutual authentication and facilitating encryption. This level of security helps protect the integrity and confidentiality of the data being transmitted, thereby mitigating the risks of eavesdropping or unauthorized access.