What Does Network Security Key Mean?

A network security key usually refers to the password or alphanumeric key that end users enter to access a local area network.

Techopedia Explains Network Security Key

The common security protocols include Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2. These different protocols each offer their own methods for keeping networks safe. WEP was the first security protocol developed for wireless networking. It is easy to configure, but also has certain vulnerabilities. An alternative is WPA, which commonly uses a pre-shared key (PSK) and, for many IT professionals, offers better encryption service. WPA2 emerged from WPA as a more modern choice.