Digital Certificates

The Security of Online Communication Calls for Digital Certificates

Digital certificates are the evolving, current-day standard to help solve the growing concerns regarding secure online communication and the protection of sensitive data. This is particularly the case with transactions where financial institutions and their clients similarly contend that the leading impediment to online banking is security. Since traditional security measures like firewalls, anti-virus software, and login/password user authentication are no longer sufficient to address the increasing number of sophisticated online attacks, digital certificates were implemented as an alternative to basic authentication security practices.

Digital Certificates offer PKI-Secured Authentication and Encryption

Digital certificates play an integral role in Web security by virtue of their inherent functions: authentication and encryption. In terms of authentication, a digital certificate provides credentialing information about the certificate holder as verified by a trusted third party, or certification authority. With regard to encryption, a digital certificate enables secure, encrypted communication between computing endpoints. This encryption is made possible through the secure sockets layer protocol, which uses digital certificates to establish tunnels whereby two endpoint users can communicate and share data securely.

Every digital certificate is distinct in that it has a unique serial number, user identity and public key for file encryption. The public key is bound with the user identity found on digital certificates, but only after that identity has been authenticated by an independent certification authority as part of its PKI security practices. Public key infrastructure, or PKI, is an arrangement whereby public keys are bound to user identities through trusted certification authorities. Since the certification authority is responsible for verifying the identities of certificate applicants before binding them to their respective public keys, digital certificates serve as independently certified proof of the relationship between that public key and its owner: an authentic relationship. The fundamental consideration here is whether that evidence is reliable; reliability will be contingent upon the PKI security practices of the certificate authority.

Entrust PKI and Digital Certificates Provide Comprehensive Security Solutions

Entrust offers a variety of digital certificates suitable for today's diverse business entities and their online security needs. Featuring standard SSL, advanced SSL and extended validation certificates, Entrust digital certificates and management services provide flexible alternatives to meet the risk assessments of all business applications. Entrust is a reputable and award-winning organization with comprehensive solutions to secure business endeavors while maintaining a trustworthy and transparent networking system. Take advantage of Entrust PKI and Entrust digital certificates, and realize what comprehensive security can do for business investments.

Entrust Authentication and Information Security Solutions

Entrust is an industry recognized leader of information security solutions that help organizations protect critical information through innovative products and services. Our solutions enable risk based authentication, multifactor authentication, file encryption, and digital signatures along with numerous other security capabilities. Entrust provides trusted security and encryption software for less.