ISAKMP Policy
Internet Security Association Key Management Protocol (ISAKMP) policies are used to define Internet Key Exchange (IKE) SAs. The IKE SAs dictate the shared security parameters (such as which encryption parameters to use, how to authenticate the remote peer, and so on) between the system and a peer security gateway.
During Phase 1 of IPsec establishment, the system and a peer security gateway negotiate IKE SAs. These SAs are used to protect subsequent communications between the peers including the IPsec SA negotiation process.