Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is the system designed for the use of security methods based on asymmetric cryptography.
Public Key Infrastructure is determined by procedures and equipment for:
- key generation and storage
- verification of key holders and issuing digital certificates
- digital certificate directories
- digital certificate revocation and directories of revoked digital certificates
- timestamp services
All qualified digital certificate holders in PKI acquire three basic E-commerce security features:
- a personal key,
- a public key, and
- a digital certificate.
To avoid potential misuse, the mentioned security features have to be stored in the highest-security devices and media. The most secure technology currently available is a smart card.