With digital marketing being the most favorable way for visibility and business growth, new threats are emerging rapidly. Thus, information security and risk management strategies have now become a major part of every business present online. The need for a secure environment in a business transaction, customer interaction, and confidential information space gave rise to PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)

PKI can be defined as a framework of advanced hardware and software technologies specially designed to manage key digital certificates. It manages the creation, storage, authentication as well as transmission of the keys of digital certificates. By doing this, it can create a concrete secure network environment that is used by applications using the respective hardware.

On the other hand, PKI also acts as a crypto-mechanism using which encryption is done for an endpoint. Thus, PKI can be stated as a procedure, policy, or even certificate and key management software due to its functions.

Applications of PKI

With all the functions that PKI is responsible for in digital certificate automation and key management, it makes the online transaction more secure. Well, this is done in simply two steps, they are:

• Securing the identity of the network’s endpoints i.e. seller and receiver
• Encryption of the data flow in the communication channel of the respective network

Both these tasks can be accomplished by using a pair of keys i.e. public keys and private keys. Those keys are interrelated with each other and can be used for encryption and decryption that are done by digital certificates.

Well, as there is a flood of devices that communicate with each other through the internet, multiple systems like mobile, payment systems, and IoT devices require PKI for security. PKI is so crucial for these systems that without it they can be completely exposed to potential intruders increasing cyber risks. It can be applied for several purposes including securing the

• Browsing using SSL or TLS certificates
• Emails by signing and message encryption
• Code-signing
• Network
• Files by File Systems Encryption and many more

Choosing Asymmetric Encryption over Symmetric Encryption for PKI

Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key; on the other hand, asymmetric uses two separate keys. Asymmetric encryption applied with an electronic signature ensures favoring Confidentiality. It finds use when the priority is towards Authenticity using Digital Signatures. It helps with building the Integrity of Information Exchange. Non-repudiation ensures becoming one of the many benefits of asymmetric encryption.

Digital signature encryption ensures that the owner of a document or information gets advanced security. Asymmetric encryption serves as the cornerstone of building blockchain applications. Still confused? Check out symmetric vs asymmetric encryption to know which one is good to choose.

Reasons why a business should invest in PKI Solutions

By now, you must be pretty sure that PKI can actually secure your business environment from data loss or breaches. But, here are the reasons you should invest in PKI solutions.

1) To Secure HSM

Hardware security modules are used to secure the cryptographic operations performed during the exchange of data. Although they have incredible potential to protect the private key from intruders, they are pretty expensive.

Besides, a proper HSM is crucial to keep the private keys disclosed from hackers. It will not only help in securing the network but also helps in keeping the keys and the sensitive data in proper order to give flawless access to the endpoints.

2) To Maximize Business Scalability

With a proper in-house PKI solution in proper order, you can earn more provisions for your business and increase the scalability too. Additionally, it will also reduce the cost of collecting the market information and dedicating a team to it.

Besides, such a secure business system can help in scaling the product range without any inconvenience. The reason being you can interact with any number of potential customers and clients in a hassle-free way.

3) Prevent Insider Threats

Knowingly or unknowingly, the group of employees working for your organization can also be the reason for the modification or manipulation of the exchanged data. The managed PKI system kept in order can keep you informed with the current organization status using the hash along with the pair of keys.

Nevertheless, PKI is the best way to prevent data breach and theft issues in the right order. All you need is to ensure the encryption algorithm is efficient and reliable from all aspects.

4) Enabling Device Identities

PKI Implementation enables the identification of every device connected within the network using the keys. It provides great protection and flexibility in handling complex digital certificates. PKI takes system security to a whole new level.

The complexity in digital certificates arises when the business tries to expand to other states, including one or more products in the showcase, and gain traffic from multiple sources. Proper PKI solution can come to the rescue in such scenario by creating a secure environment with every proper require making the network safe with the cryptography mechanism.

5) Build Public Trust

By securing the public data from potential intruders, manipulators, and hackers, any business can earn the reputation of being a trustworthy and reliable company to get the service from. Although a company can rarely survive in the digital world without any data security, PKI solutions can help you create the reputation that makes your company a brand.