Zertifikatsstatusprüfung

A Zertifikatsstatusprüfung, commonly known as a certificate status check, is a process used to verify the current validity and status of a digital certificate. Digital certificates are essential components in public key infrastructure (PKI) systems, used to authenticate entities such as websites, servers, or individuals by binding their public keys to their identities. The status check ensures that the certificate has not been revoked, expired, or compromised.

The process typically involves querying a certificate revocation list (CRL) or using the Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP). A CRL is a list of revoked certificates maintained by the certificate authority (CA), while OCSP provides real-time status updates. During a Zertifikatsstatusprüfung, the system checks whether the certificate is still valid, expired, or listed in a CRL or OCSP response as revoked. This helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures secure communication.

This verification is particularly important in secure protocols like HTTPS, where certificates authenticate websites to users’ browsers. If a certificate fails the status check, the browser may display a warning, prompting users to verify the site’s legitimacy or proceed with caution. Regular Zertifikatsstatusprüfung is also recommended for internal IT systems to maintain security and compliance with industry standards.

The process is automated in most modern systems, such as web browsers, email clients, and VPNs, ensuring seamless and secure operations without manual intervention. Organizations managing their own PKI may perform these checks internally to monitor certificate health and enforce security policies.