Question
Q6. In India, the term “ Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of
a. Digital security infrastructure
b. Food security infrastructure
c. Health care and education infrastructure
d. Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure
Answer: A
Detailed Explanation
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI):
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a technology used to authenticate users and devices in the digital world.
It forms the foundation of encryption and cybersecurity, ensuring secure communication between servers and clients.
Core Components of PKI:
Digital Certificates:
These act as electronic identification for websites and organizations, allowing secure connections between communicating parties.
They verify the identity of the entities involved, ensuring the integrity of transactions.
Certificate Authority (CA):
This entity is responsible for authenticating digital identities, which can include individuals, computer systems, and servers.
It manages the lifecycle of digital certificates and prevents the use of falsified identities.
Registration Authority (RA):
Authorized by the Certificate Authority, the RA issues digital certificates to users on a caseby-case basis.
It maintains a record of requested, issued, and revoked certificates in an encrypted database.
PKI Usage:
PKI is best suited for situations requiring digital security, such as smart card logins, SSL signatures, and encrypted documents.
It provides secure communication by generating cryptographic keys: a public key and a private key.
These keys are used to encrypt and decrypt sensitive information exchanged between two parties.
Encryption Mechanism:
PKI uses a two-key encryption system to secure data. It provides each party with a pair of keys to ensure that electronic information is securely passed back and forth, maintaining confidentiality and integrity. Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Digital Certificates and Secure Connections:
PKI ensures secure connections in digital communications, as the digital certificates it issues verify the identities of the involved parties.
Applications of PKI:
PKI is commonly used in online transactions, digital signatures, secure email communications, and access control in various digital platforms to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches.
