Digital certificates – Is their importance underestimated?

Abstract

The importance of appropriately handling digital certificates and cryptographic material is often underestimated. Society uses digital certificates every day, but do we fully understand them? Security operation functions will continue to play an ever increasing role in appropriately managing cryptographic materials. Digital certificates and cryptography are functions that are often not managed appropriately. Cryptography keys must be handled carefully from purchase to installation, proper handling and secure destruction. Thousands of keys typically have to be managed on desktops and servers. Compromise of cryptographic keys is a serious breach of trust. It is difficult for support users to identify when cryptographic keys have been hacked. In addition they face many other difficulties such as the installation of certificates and secure transport channels and the renewal and revocation of keys on time. Also application developers underestimate the importance of protecting keys The challenges show that large organizations should have a group that specifically manages cryptographic solutions. The benefits of introducing cryptography are lost if the keys get compromised or stolen…