What Is An SSH Key?

I’m in the process of applying for a technical job, and the prospective employer is not asking for a resume. They are asking for my SSH Key. Matter of fact, if I send my resume, it will automatically disqualify me from applying for the position.

I assumed at first that an SSH Key was something I could attain from Verisign or Microsoft. That it was some sort of encryption technology that would verify my identity, much like a Notary. But a quick search did not bring anything up.

Of course, the whole thing might be a ruse. As if to say, “If you don’t know what an SSH Key is, then you obviously don’t have one, and you don’t deserve this job.”

Who here knows what an SSH Key is?

This comes from Whatis.com, a great site for deciphering techno-jargon and acronyms. Does this sound like it’s related to your question?