Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a framework of policies, technologies, and procedures used to manage encryption keys and digital certificates for securing online communications and data exchanges. PKI enables organizations to establish trust, authentication, and confidentiality in digital transactions.

How PKI Works

PKI is reliant on a pair of cryptographic keys:

• Public Key - This is shared openly and used for encryption.
• Private Key - This is kept secret and used for decryption or digital signing.

A Certificate Authority (CA) issues digital certificates to verify identities, ensuring that users, devices, and websites are legitimate and secure.

Key Benefits of PKI

• Data Encryption - Protects sensitive data during transmission.
• Authentication - Ensures users, devices, and websites are genuine.
• Digital Signatures - Verifies the integrity and origin of documents and emails.
• Regulatory Compliance - Supports compliance with security standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

Common PKI Use Cases

• SSL/TLS Certificates for website security (HTTPS).
• Email Encryption to prevent unauthorized access.
• Secure Remote Access for VPN authentication.
• Digital Identity Verification for users and devices.