Public key infrastructure (PKI) is the combination of standards, policies, protocols, and software that supports public key encryption process.
PKI otherwise stands Public Key Infrastructure is a centralized establishment that stores and publishes digital certificates to enforce web of trust among communicating entities. It is known fact that the biggest challenge with cryptographic functions is security key generation and management.
PKI is invented to address these setbacks and continuously deliver secure key management and distribution to concerned entities. Furthermore, it is a hierarchical construct that facilitates the smooth generation and issuance of digital certificates to beneficiaries.
PKI infrastructure compromises one or more of the following modules:
- Digital Certificates
- Certificate Authorities (CA
- Registration Authority (RA)
- CRL (Certificate Revocation List)
- Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP)
- Certificate Practice Statement (CPS)