A digital certificate, also known as a public key certificate or identity certificate, is an electronic document that verifies the ownership of a public key and the identity of its owner.
It uses cryptographic techniques to verify the authenticity of the certificate holder and secure communications over networks. Digital certificates are issued by a trusted authority called a Certificate Authority (CA) and typically include information such as the certificate holder's public key, the CA's digital signature, and an expiration date. They are commonly used in various security protocols, like SSL/TLS, to encrypt data and establish secure connections.
Digital certificates are a key component of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which secures and manages digital communications and transactions. They are essential for creating a secure and trustworthy digital environment by providing reliable methods for authentication and data encryption.
PAM solutions utilize digital certificates to strengthen security by verifying that only authorized individuals or systems can access and manage privileged accounts, thereby minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.