PKI Uncovered: Certificate-Based Security Solutions for Next-Generation Networks

Chapter 2. Understanding PKI Building Blocks

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Certificates

• Certification Authorities (CA)

• Subordinate Certification Authorities (Sub-CA)

• Registration Authorities (RA)

• Endpoint Entities: Users and Devices

• Key and Certificate Storage

The principles and functions of cryptography are the building blocks for Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This chapter describes digital certificates, the surrounding environment, and the various forms of Certification Authorities (CA).

Certificates

In the digital world, certificates establish the link between an identity (associated with either an individual or a device of any type) and the corresponding electronic material. In this case, the material is cryptographic ...