Which protocol is an example of a strong cryptography implementation?

SSL/TLS is recognized as a strong cryptography implementation because it provides a secure channel over an unsecured network. It uses a combination of asymmetric and symmetric encryption to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity between communicating parties. Specifically, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are designed to establish secure connections over the Internet, protecting against eavesdropping, tampering, and forgery.

When a secure connection is initiated using SSL/TLS, it proceeds through a handshake process that includes key exchange mechanisms, ensuring that both parties can encrypt their communications with secure keys and confirm each other's identities. This makes SSL/TLS essential for securing sensitive data such as payment information in e-commerce, which is directly relevant to the objectives of PCI DSS.

In contrast, the other protocols mentioned – HTTP, ARP, and ICMP – do not provide the same level of security. HTTP does not encrypt data, making it susceptible to interception. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network and does not involve encryption. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is primarily used for diagnostic functions and does not provide cryptographic protections. Thus, SSL/TLS stands out as