What Is a Public-Key Infrastructure?
A Public-Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a system of digital certificates, encryption keys, and other security measures that are used to secure communications over the internet. PKI enables users to securely exchange data such as emails or documents without having to worry about their information being intercepted by malicious actors. It also allows for authentication of identities so that only authorized individuals can access certain resources.
The main components of a PKI include public key cryptography, certificate authorities (CAs), registration authorities (RAs), and trust anchors. Public key cryptography uses two different types of cryptographic keys: one private key which is kept secret by the user and one public key which is shared with others in order to encrypt messages sent between them. Certificate Authorities issue digital certificates that contain the public keys associated with an individual or organization’s identity; these certificates are then verified by Registration Authorities before they can be trusted by other parties involved in communication exchanges. Finally, Trust Anchors provide assurance that all entities within the PKI have been properly authenticated and validated according to established standards set forth by CAs and RAs.