Final answer:
The primary advantage of using symmetric key encryption systems compared to public key systems is fast encryption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary advantage of using symmetric key encryption systems compared to public key systems is fast encryption. In symmetric key encryption, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption, which makes the process faster compared to public key systems where different keys are used for encryption and decryption.
For example, if Alice wants to send an encrypted message to Bob using symmetric key encryption, she only needs to use one key for both encryption and decryption, which results in faster encryption and decryption times.
On the other hand, public key systems like RSA require two different keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. Although public key systems provide other advantages like secure key exchange and digital signatures, they are generally slower compared to symmetric key encryption.