Information, Computer and Network Security Terms Glossary and Dictionary

PKI: Public-Key Infrastructure

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a system based on the Public Key Cryptography concepts to provide public key creation and management for users to encrypt data and exchange keys effectively. PKI architecture is defined by the Internet standard groups and US National Institute of Standards (NIST). PKI enables users of a basically unsecure public network such as the Internet to securely and privately exchange data and money through the use of a public and a private cryptographic key pair that is obtained and shared through a trusted authority.

Related Terms

Public Key Cryptography, Private Key, Certificate Authority

Reference Links

http://www.rsasecurity.com/rsalabs/node.asp?id=2124: Public-Key Cryptography Standards
http://csrc.nist.gov/pki/twg/BridgeCA/: Proposed Federal PKI Architecture