What are Digital Certificates ?

Table of Contents

Digital certificates are electronically validated documents that help identify the owner. They are used to encrypt the sign data in a digital format. The main role of the digital certificates is to validate the public key content, confirm the sender, as well as transmit the message to the receiver.

This is also known as the encryption technique that is employed by the public as well as a private key. It also helps in identification and distribution. Messages transmitted are encrypted using a public or a private key and when they are received by the user, it gets decrypted.

Once the message is decrypted, the user shall be intimated which validation key was employed. This is validated by utilizing emails, identities, and other information.

Who can Issue the Digital Certificate?

Every entity has the right to issue a digital certificate and formulate its PKI. Every firm has its own PKI for internal work. The main authority which issues certificates is the certificate authority (CA). They are usually third-party organizations that issue Digital certificates and help in issuing.

Types of Digital Certificates:

Various types of digital certificates are used by browsers and servers. They are all verified via the internet. Some types of digital certificates include:

Domain Validated (DV SSL): This type of certificate validates the assurance related to the holder. The user authorizes the use of his name. This proves the sender is legitimate.
Wildcard SSL: This certificate is used to validate a subdomain under the main domain. You can find these certificates from resellers. It is used for domain and firm validation.
Organization Validated (OV SSL): This certificate further authorizes the user for having the rights over a particular domain.
Extended Validation (EV SSL): This certificate is issued once the CA is satisfied with the identity. This is a long process involving confirmation, existence, etc.
Code Signing Certificates: This certificate is done to authorize the software and files installed from the internet. The developer has to verify the third-party source is authentic and not adulterating the software.
Client Certification: This is a digital identity that links users and machines.

Benefits of Digital Certificate

With the rise in cyberattacks, digital certificates have become a necessity. Some benefits of digital certificates are as follows:

Security: The main purpose of digital certificates is to encrypt sending and receiving data and hence prevent the attacker from stealing them.
Convenience: Issuing, revoking, and renewing digital certificates is easy and hence can be used by all.
Authenticate: As digital certificates authenticate the sending and receiving, they prevent the spread of cyberattacks.
Trust-worthy: As digital certificates can be issued only by authorized agencies, it ensures that bogus certificates are not issued.
Confirmation: Digital certificates are a means to ensure the website is genuine and in the process build public trust.

Types of Security Offered by Digital Certificates

The digital certificate is the means to authenticate sending of data that needs to be secured.

The benefits users will get include:

Data Confidentiality: Digital certificates ensure information stays secure and safe. To access any sensitive information, users may need a public key to access messages or information when they have a digital certificate.
Data homogeneity: As data remains encrypted, it cannot be adulterated. It ensures the information stays untouched when being transmitted.
Access Management: This type of certificate lets people permission to access a document or piece of information.
Recipient confirmation: When using digital certificates, it tracks the sending and receiving of information, ensuring people can’t deny the exchange.

As the cyber threat is on the rise, it is important to keep our data safe and secure. Digital certificates are a convenient and secure way to keep our data protected and away from the realm of cyberattacks.

What are Digital Certificates ?