What is PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)?
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a framework of policies, technologies, and procedures used to create, manage, distribute, and revoke digital certificates. PKI enables secure electronic communications and transactions by providing a reliable method for verifying the identity of parties involved in digital interactions. It uses a combination of public and private cryptographic keys to encrypt and decrypt data, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity in digital communications.
Key Components of Public Key Infrastructure
Digital Certificates
Digital certificates are electronic credentials that verify the identity of individuals, organizations, or devices in a PKI system. They contain a public key and the identity of the certificate holder, and they are issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
Certificate Authority (CA)
A Certificate Authority is a trusted entity responsible for issuing, managing, and revoking digital certificates. The CA verifies the identity of entities requesting certificates and ensures the integrity and authenticity of the certificates it issues.
Public and Private Keys
PKI uses a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is shared openly and used to encrypt data, while the private key is kept secure and used to decrypt data. This key pair ensures secure communication between parties.
Registration Authority (RA)
A Registration Authority acts as an intermediary between the user and the CA. It is responsible for verifying the identity of entities requesting digital certificates and forwarding approved requests to the CA for certificate issuance.
Certificate Revocation List (CRL)
A Certificate Revocation List is a list of digital certificates that have been revoked by the CA before their expiration date. The CRL helps ensure that invalid or compromised certificates are not used for secure communications.
Importance of Public Key Infrastructure in Security
Public Key Infrastructure is essential for securing digital communications and transactions across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and government. By providing a reliable method for verifying identities and encrypting data, PKI helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and cyber threats. It also supports secure online interactions, such as e-commerce, online banking, and secure email communications.
