Hyphen usage with multiple nouns

Question

Which option of describing an exhcange process of keys is correct and why? The why is needed as we want to have the gramatically correct solution for a translation (from German) and I need to prove to my colleagues why it's correct that way.

What is correct?

1. key exchange process
2. key-exchange process

Answer 1

This is the rule of thumb for using hyphens: if the two nouns are being used as one adjective, hyphenate it.

For example, in the sentence you provided, "key exchange" is being used as one adjective, not two separate nouns, so we write it as key-exchange.

I hope this helps :)

Answer 2

It sounds like you need to describe the exchange of keys (a noun-metal device that opens a lock). In this case, "key-exchange process" is better. "Key" is a multiple-meaning word. It can also be used as an adjective meaning crucial or important. If you are using "key" as an adjective to describe a very important exchange process, then "key exchange process" is correct. "Key exchange" as a phrase has its own meaning: in cryptography, the exchange of a code. If you are using this definition, then it is best to write it as "the process of key exchange".