PKI & Key Management

Overview

A Public Key Infrastructure permits the issuance, exchange, and use of digital identities based on asymmetric keys. In a PKI, a private key is used for digital signing and authentication, and digital certificates are used to distribute the public Key portion of a key pair. The digital certificates in turn verify digital signatures. PKI-secured identities and data can span the globe via computers linked to the Internet, helping users shop safely online, verifying who e-mail came from, controlling access to files on hard drives, and securing confidential records through encryption.

The Importance of Key Management
Key management ensures the secure storage and protection of private keys integral to the security of a PKI. If someone other than the actual holder of the key gains access to a private key, the PKI security model is compromised. Therefore, in a PKI environment, particularly one critical to business processes, financial transactions, or access controls, it is essential that private keys be guarded with a reliable key management solution.

SafeNet solutions:

• Application and Transaction Security
• Identity and Access Management