Definition:
A Certificate Authority (CA) is an entity responsible for issuing and managing digital certificates that verify the authenticity and identity of websites, individuals, and organizations in online communications.
Use Cases:
- Used in Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols to authenticate websites and establish secure communications.
- Employed by organizations to verify digital signatures in email communications and document signing.
Related Terms:
Questions and Answers:
- What is the role of a Certificate Authority (CA) in web security?
CAs issue digital certificates that authenticate the identity of websites, ensuring that users can trust the site they are communicating with.
- How does a CA verify the identity of a website or organization?
CAs use various validation methods, including domain ownership verification and organizational vetting, before issuing a certificate.
- What happens if a CA is compromised?
If a CA is compromised, attackers could issue fraudulent certificates, leading to man-in-the-middle attacks or other security breaches.