Cipher suites
To provide a service that addresses the goals of privacy, integrity, and authentication, SSL uses a combination of cryptographic techniques and functions, such as message digests, digital certificates, and, of course, encryption. There are many different standard algorithms that implement these functions, and SSL can use different combinations to meet particular requirements, such as being legal to use in a particular country! When an SSL connection is established, clients and servers negotiate the best combination of techniques-based on common capabilities-to ensure the highest level of protection. The combinations of techniques that can be negotiated are known as cipher suites.