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The distinction between symmetric and asymmetric encryption is primarily based on the key management used during the encryption and decryption processes. Symmetric encryption employs a single key for both encryption and decryption, meaning that the sender and recipient must share the same secret key to communicate securely. This can lead to challenges in key distribution, especially over insecure channels.

In contrast, asymmetric encryption uses a pair of keys: a public key, which is available to anyone and can be used for encryption, and a private key, which is kept secret by the owner and is used for decryption. This system alleviates some of the complications associated with key distribution, as the public key can be shared openly while the private key remains secured.

This fundamental difference in key usage is crucial to understanding how these encryption methods operate and their respective security features. Symmetric encryption tends to be faster due to the simpler calculations involved with using a single shared key, while asymmetric encryption is generally considered more secure for key exchanges and certain types of secure communication, albeit at the cost of performance.