Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
This presentation explains the components of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), detailing its functions, the role of certificate
authorities, and the significance of digital certificates in ensuring secure communications.
What is PKI?
Definition of PKI Purpose of PKI Key Components
PKI is a framework that enables The primary purpose is to manage PKI consists of hardware, software,
secure communication via digital certificates and public-key policies, and procedures that work
encryption and digital signatures. encryption. together.
Components of PKI
1 Public and Private Keys 2 Certificate Authorities 3 Digital Certificates
Each user in a PKI system has a (CA) These are electronic documents
pair of keys. The public key CAs are trusted entities that that associate a public key with
encrypts data, while the private issue digital certificates, an identity, helping users verify
key decrypts it, ensuring secure verifying the identity of the the authenticity of connections.
communication. certificate holder to prevent
fraud.
Role of Certificate Authorities
Certificate Revocation
CAs maintain a Certificate
2
Issuance of Certificates Revocation List (CRL) to list non-
valid certificates, enhancing security.
CAs verify the identities of 1
applicants and issue digital
certificates, establishing a chain Trust Model
of trust. 3
The trust model is hierarchical, with
higher-tier CAs trusted to validate
lower-tier CAs.
How PKI Works
Authentication Encryption Digital Signatures
When a user attempts to access a Data is encrypted with the A digital signature validates the
secure resource, their certificate recipient's public key and can only authenticity of a message,
is checked against the CA's be decrypted with their private confirming that it has not been
registry for validity, ensuring they key, ensuring that only intended altered and is genuinely from the
are who they claim to be. recipients can access the stated sender.
information.
Benefits of PKI
PKI, or Public Key Infrastructure, supports secure communications by providing essential benefits including enhanced
security, trust establishment, and scalability for managing identities across organizations.
Trust Establishment
2 By using a CA, trust is established
between parties, facilitating secure
Enhanced Security
transactions and communications in
PKI greatly improves security by various applications.
providing encryption and digital 1
signature capabilities that
Scalability
protect sensitive information
from unauthorized access. PKI can scale to accommodate large
3
organizations and complex networks,
providing a robust solution for
identity management.
Applications of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
Email Security Secure Web Browsing Document Signing
PKI secures email communications SSL/TLS use PKI to protect Digital signatures verify the
through encryption and signing. connections between users and authenticity and integrity of
websites. documents.
Future of PKI
Regulatory Compliance
2 The need for PKI to comply with
increasing data privacy laws and
Evolving Technologies ensure secure practices.
1
PKI is evolving to integrate new
cryptographic methods for
quantum computing. Increased Adoption
Businesses are enhancing their
3
security posture through widespread
adoption of PKI.
