A certificate authority is a type of computerized system which is used to create digital certificates. There are different methods you can use to create your own digital certificates. You could choose to use a managed service, software or a shared service. Each option provides organizations of all sizes the ability to be able to create and distribute their own certificates.
Differences between Certificate Authority System Options
The difference between the various certificate authority system options is where the system is contained and how it is used. For example, a managed CA system is offered as a service and involves using a third party to house the system. Anytime you need to create a new certificate you access your service account. A software CA system is where you install the software onto your own server and create certificates in-house. The third method is a shared CA system and can either be dedicated, hosted or shared utilizing a combination of both managed and software options.