nucypher/docs/source/glossary.rst

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Glossary
========
.. _Umbral: https://github.com/nucypher/umbral-doc/blob/master/umbral-doc.pdf
.. glossary::
Alice
*"The Data Owner"* :term:`Character` - retains full control over the data encrypted for her and determines whom to share the data with.
Bob
*"The Data Recipient"* :term:`Character` - the data recipient that :term:`Alice` intends to share data with.
Capsule
Encrypted symmetric key (:term:`KEM`) that is eventually re-encrypted.
cFrag
A fragment of ciphertext that is a partial re-encryption produced by a :term:`kFrag` operation on a :term:`Capsule`.
Character
A common term for any entity fulfilling a particular role in our cryptographic narrative.
DEM
Data encapsulation mechanism - data encrypted with a symmetric key.
Enrico
*"The Encryptor"* :term:`Character` - a data source that encrypts data on behalf of :term:`Alice` and produces a :term:`MessageKit`.
KEM
Key encapsulation mechanism - a symmetric key encrypted with an asymmetric key
kFrag
A fragment of a :term:`Re-encryption Key`.
Label
A title for a classification/categorization of data according to how it is intended to be shared.
MessageKit
The ciphertext (data encrypted with a symmetric key) and the :term:`Capsule` (encrypted symmetric key) that are stored together.
NU
The Legacy NuCypher token used by nodes for staking.
NuNit
1 NU = 10\ :sup:`18` NuNits.
PKE
Public-key encryption.
Porter
A web service that is the conduit between applications (platform-agnostic) and the PRE nodes on the Threshold network, that
performs ``nucypher`` protocol operations on behalf of Alice and Bob.
PRE
Proxy re-encryption.
Re-encryption Key
A key that facilitates the transformation of ciphertext from one encryption key to another.
Stamp
The public key for a :term:`Character`'s signing key pair.
Treasure Map
The locations of :term:`Ursulas<Ursula>` and associated encrypted :term:`kFrags<kFrag>` for a policy. :term:`Bob` will use the treasure map to determine which :term:`Ursulas<Ursula>` to contact to re-encrypt the data :term:`Alice` has shared with him.
Umbral
NuCypher's threshold proxy re-encryption scheme - it takes standard :term:`PRE` and increases security and performance. See Umbral_.
Ursula
*"The Proxy in PRE"* :term:`Character` - the PRE node on the Threshold Network that stands ready to re-encrypt data in exchange for payment in fees and token rewards; they enforce the access policy created by :term:`Alice`.
Operator
An account that is actively doing work in the network as an :term:`Ursula` node. An Operator is bonded to, and performs work on behalf of, a Staking Provider.