- Overview:
- PKI: A framework that enables secure communication through the use of public key cryptography. It involves the generation, distribution, and management of digital certificates by Certificate Authorities (CAs).
- Key Components:
- Certificate Authorities (CAs): Trusted entities that issue digital certificates containing public keys. These certificates are used to verify the identity of the certificate holder and establish secure communication.
- Digital Certificates: Electronic documents that associate a public key with the identity of the certificate holder. They include details like the serial number, owner, and issuer name.
- X.509 Standard: The most widely used standard for defining the format of public key certificates in a PKI system.
- Security Features:
- Integrity: Ensured by using hash codes and message digests to verify that the data has not been altered.
- Access Control: Managed through the use of digital certificates, which grant access based on the identity associated with the certificate.
- Confidentiality: Achieved through encryption, ensuring that only authorized parties can read the information.
- Authentication: Verified through digital certificates, confirming the identity of the entities involved in the communication.
- Non-repudiation: Ensured by digital signatures, preventing the signer from denying the authenticity of their signature.
- Digital Signature:
- Purpose: Used to verify that a message has not been altered and that it was signed by the intended signer. It is a key component in ensuring the integrity and authenticity of communications.
- Trust Anchor:
- Definition: A public key that has been verified and trusted within the PKI system. It serves as the foundation for the trust hierarchy in PKI.
Understanding PKI is essential for managing secure communications in digital environments, as it underpins many of the security protocols and practices used today.