sertifikaadiasutus

Sertifikaadiasutus, often translated as Certificate Authority (CA), is a trusted entity responsible for issuing digital certificates. These certificates are used to verify the identity of individuals, organizations, or servers and to enable secure communication. A CA acts as a third party that vouches for the authenticity of the certificate holder.

When a CA issues a digital certificate, it binds a public key to the identity of the certificate subject. This process typically involves verifying the identity of the applicant through rigorous checks. Once verified, the CA signs the certificate with its own private key, creating a digital signature that others can verify using the CA's public key. This signature ensures that the certificate has not been tampered with and that it was indeed issued by the trusted CA.

The primary function of a CA is to facilitate trust in digital transactions and communications. In the context of the internet, CAs are crucial for securing websites through protocols like HTTPS. When a user connects to a website secured with an SSL/TLS certificate issued by a CA, their browser checks the certificate's validity and verifies that it was issued by a trusted CA. If the certificate is valid and trusted, the browser establishes a secure, encrypted connection. CAs play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and security of online interactions.