# Server Encryption Key retrieval

This step is implemented to secure the communication between the **PKSA** and the **HAS** and provide a way to later authenticate user accounts with certainty.

The **PKSA** asks the **HAS** for its public encryption key by sending the following message:

```js
{ cmd: "key_req" }
```

The **HAS** responds with the following message:

### key\_ack

```
{ 
    cmd: "key_ack", 
    key: string
}
```

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Properties" %}

* **`key`**: The server public key to use to perform asymmetric encryption.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}