In the digital world, trust is the cornerstone of security.
Every communication, transaction, or data exchange requires identity verification and information integrity.
This is where Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) comes in — a system that enables encryption, signing, and authentication in a secure manner.
What Is Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) is a set of technologies, procedures, and policies for managing cryptographic keys and digital certificates.
PKI ensures secure communication and data protection online, forming the basis for technologies like SSL/TLS, VPN, eIDAS, or encrypted email.
In practice, PKI ensures you can securely log into your bank, electronically sign documents, and verify that communications are authentic.
Core Components of PKI
- Certification Authority (CA) – the trusted entity that issues digital certificates, confirming the identity of users, devices, or services.
- Registration Authority (RA) – verifies certificate requests and forwards them to the CA.
- Digital certificates – electronic documents binding a public key to an identity (e.g., X.509 standard).
- Key management – secure generation, storage, distribution, and revocation of keys.
- Certificate Revocation Lists (CRL) / OCSP – mechanisms for checking the validity of certificates in real time.
PKI operates on asymmetric cryptography — using pairs of public (shared) and private (secret) keys.
How PKI Works in Practice
- Key generation – the user creates a key pair (public + private).
- Certificate issuance – CA verifies identity and issues a signed certificate containing the public key.
- Usage – the certificate enables secure communication (e.g., HTTPS) or digital signatures.
- Revocation & renewal – if a key is compromised, the certificate is revoked and a new one issued.
PKI builds a chain of trust through root and intermediate certificates, ensuring continuity of trust.
How to Implement PKI in Your Company
- Assess needs – identify which processes and communications require encryption (e.g., emails, system logins, document signing).
- Choose a PKI solution – decide between on-premises infrastructure or a Managed PKI (cloud-based) model.
- Manage certificate lifecycle – establish policies for renewal, revocation, and validity monitoring.
Central visibility over all certificates is crucial — even a single expired one can cause system downtime.
Why Implement PKI?
- Secure communication – encrypts data in transit.
- Digital trust – verifies user and system identities.
- Regulatory compliance – many laws (e.g., GDPR, eIDAS, NIS2) require certificates and digital signatures.
PKI not only secures data — it builds trust across the entire digital ecosystem.
PKI for Secure Communication in Your Company
Investing in PKI is a step toward mature cybersecurity.
It gives you control over access, identities, and data confidentiality throughout your systems.
PKI = Security + Trust + Compliance.
Get in Touch
I help companies implement PKI, electronic signatures, and certificate lifecycle management (CLM) systems, fully compliant with ISO/IEC 27001 and eIDAS.
Email: biuro@wichran.pl
Phone: +48 515 601 621
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Court-appointed IT forensic expert, IT/OT cybersecurity specialist, licensed private investigator
@Informatyka.Sledcza