The main difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption lies in the key management process. Symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption, necessitating secure key distribution. This method is generally faster and suitable for encrypting large amounts of data. In contrast, asymmetric encryption utilizes a pair of keys—one public and one private. The public key encrypts data, while the private key decrypts it. This enhances security, particularly for secure communication protocols, but tends to be slower than symmetric methods.