Which of the following is a major advantage of asymmetric cryptography?

One major advantage of asymmetric cryptography is that it allows for secure key distribution. In asymmetric cryptography, a pair of keys is used: a public key that can be shared openly and a private key that is kept secret. This arrangement means that anyone can use the public key to encrypt a message intended for the owner of the private key, ensuring that only the private key holder can decrypt the message. This eliminates the need for a shared secret key prior to communication, which is a significant challenge in symmetric cryptography. Consequently, asymmetric methods enhance security by simplifying the process of key distribution, making it easier to establish secure communication between parties who have not met beforehand.

In contrast, the other options present limitations or characteristics that do not align with the strengths of asymmetric cryptography. For instance, while asymmetric cryptography offers secure key distribution, it generally operates slower than symmetric methods, which use the same key for encryption and decryption, thus allowing for faster processing. Additionally, asymmetric cryptography relies on two keys, not a single key, which is the case in symmetric cryptography. Lastly, the algorithms used in asymmetric methods can be more complex than those in symmetric systems, rather than being simpler.