What Is a Digital Certificate? Definition and Examples
Digital certificates, also known as identity certificates or public key certificates, are a form of electronic password using the public key infrastructure (PKI) that allows individuals and organisations to exchange data over the internet in a secure manner.
A digital certificate uses cryptography and a public key to prove the authenticity of a server, device, or user, ensuring that only trusted devices can connect to an organisation’s network. They can also be used to confirm the authenticity of a website to a web browser.
A website, organisation, or individual can request a digital certificate that will then need to be validated by a publicly trusted certificate authority (CA).
Digital certificates can help to keep communications, data, and websites secure on the internet. There are some potential weaknesses for exploitation with digital certificates, but websites secured by these public key certificates are considered more secure than those that are not.
What is a digital certificate?
A digital certificate is a form of electronic credential that can prove the authenticity of a user, device, server, or website. It uses PKI to help exchange communications and data securely over the internet.
This form of authentication is a type of cryptography that requires the use of public and private keys to validate users.
Public key certificates are issued by trusted third parties, a CA, who signs the certificate, thus verifying the identity of the device or user that is requesting access. To ensure validity, the public key will be matched with a corresponding private key that only the recipient has knowledge of. Digital certificates have a specific key pair that they are associated with: one public and one private.
A digital certificate contains the following identifiable information:
- User’s name
- Company or department of user
- IP (internet protocol) address or serial number of device
- Copy of the public key from a certificate holder
- Duration of time the certificate is valid for
- Domain certificate is authorised to represent
Benefits of digital certification
Digital certification can offer a level of security that is increasingly important in this digital age. In fact, cybersecurity has been named one of the top priorities of the U.S. Government by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Cybercrime is a major threat to businesses and individuals.
Digital certificates can provide the following benefits:
- Security: Digital certificates can keep internal and external communications confidential and protect the integrity of the data. It can also provide access control, ensuring only the intended recipient receives and can access the data.
- Authentication: With a digital certificate, users can be sure that the entity or person they are communicating with is who they say they are and makes sure that communications reach only the intended recipient.
- Scalability: Digital certificates can be used across a variety of platforms for individuals and large and small businesses alike. They can be issued, renewed, and revoked in a matter of seconds. They can be used to secure a range of user devices and be managed through one centralised system.
- Reliability: A digital certificate can only be issued by a publicly trusted and rigorously vetted CA, meaning that they cannot be easily tricked or faked.
- Public trust: The use of a digital certificate proves authenticity of a website, documents, or emails. It can assure users and clients that the company or individual is genuine and respects privacy and values security.
Different types of digital certification
There are three main types of public key certificates: TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer) certificates, client certificates, and code signing certificates. There are also variations within each type of certificate.
- TLS/SSL certificates: The TLS/SSL certificate is used to secure communications between a computer and the server, and it is hosted by the server. When a client computer seeks to access the server, the server will present the digital certificate to prove that it is authentic and the desired destination.
The HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) designation at the beginning of a web address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicates the presence of a digital certificate.
When a client computer is presented with the digital certificate from the server, it will then run a certi