What is Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a system that manages digital certificates and public-key encryption to provide secure communications over untrusted networks, like the internet.

PKI uses two key types: a public key that anyone can access and a private key kept secret by the owner.

Digital certificates, issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs), bind a public key to the identity of its owner, enabling secure communication, authentication, and encryption. PKI is essential in many security protocols, such as HTTPS for secure websites, email encryption, and digital signatures.