Question

Difficulty: EasyPassword Security Policies, MFA, and Certificates

Match each Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) component on the left with its primary function on the right.

  • Certificate Authority (CA)A trusted entity that validates identities and issues digital certificates.
  • Certificate Signing Request (CSR)An encoded application file containing identity details and a public key sent to obtain a certificate.
  • Certificate Revocation List (CRL)A published record of digital certificates that have been invalidated prior to their scheduled expiration date.
  • Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)The framework of policies, hardware, software, and procedures used to manage digital certificates.

Answer

Certificate Authority (CA) matches with the trusted entity that validates identities and issues certificates. Certificate Signing Request (CSR) matches with the encoded application file containing identity details and a public key. Certificate Revocation List (CRL) matches with the published record of invalidated certificates. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) matches with the framework of policies, hardware, software, and procedures.
Matching each term to its core function correctly aligns the elements of digital certificate lifecycle management: the CA issues certificates, the CSR requests them, the CRL tracks revoked certificates, and PKI provides the overall management framework.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the role of the Certificate Authority (CA).
The CA is responsible for issuing and signing digital certificates after identity verification.
CA is the central trust entity in digital certificate deployments.
2
Identify the purpose of a Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
The CSR is the request block generated locally containing public key info sent to the CA.
Before a CA can issue a certificate, it requires the applicant's public key and identity data via a CSR.
3
Determine how revoked certificates are tracked using a CRL.
A CRL holds serial numbers of certificates prematurely revoked due to compromise or decommissioning.
Clients query CRLs (or OCSP) to ensure a presented certificate is still valid.
4
Define the overarching structure known as PKI.
PKI encompasses all tools, protocols, CAs, and policies managing public-key cryptography.
PKI is the umbrella term for the entire digital certificate ecosystem.

Key Concept

Digital Certificates and PKI Component Roles
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