What is the duration of the CIK timer?

What is the duration of the CIK timer?

• A. 2 hours
• B. 4 hours
• C. 6 hours
• D. 8 hours

Answer: (B)

Four hours. The Change In Key (CIK) timer controls how long the active crypto key remains in use before the radio automatically initiates a key change. Four hours provides a practical balance: it limits the window of exposure if a key were compromised, while not interrupting normal operations with overly frequent re-keying. Shorter intervals would add unnecessary re-key overhead, and longer intervals would extend the risk period during extended missions.

Four hours. The Change In Key (CIK) timer controls how long the active crypto key remains in use before the radio automatically initiates a key change. Four hours provides a practical balance: it limits the window of exposure if a key were compromised, while not interrupting normal operations with overly frequent re-keying. Shorter intervals would add unnecessary re-key overhead, and longer intervals would extend the risk period during extended missions.