Every Nintendo Switch game, update, and system file is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. To run backups, homebrew, or custom modifications on a hacked Switch, the console’s encryption must be bypassed. The prod.keys file contains a set of cryptographic keys unique to that specific console and firmware version. These keys allow CFW and PC-based tools (like hactool or NSA) to decrypt and extract the contents of Nintendo’s .NCA (Nintendo Content Archive) and .NSP (Nintendo Submission Package) files.