TLS Record Protocol

The Transport Layer Security (TLS) Record protocol secures application data using the keys created during the Handshake. The Record Protocol is responsible for securing application data and verifying its integrity and origin. It manages the following:

  • Dividing outgoing messages into manageable blocks, and reassembling incoming messages.
  • Compressing outgoing blocks and decompressing incoming blocks (optional).
  • Applying a Message Authentication Code (MAC) to outgoing messages, and verifying incoming messages using the MAC.
  • Encrypting outgoing messages and decrypting incoming messages.

When the Record Protocol is complete, the outgoing encrypted data is passed down to the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) layer for transport.