There are different parts which make up a digital certificate, each designed to supply certain types of information or perform specific functions. For instance, the root certificate is embedded into all kinds of digital certificates, because it is responsible for taking care of authentication processes. Whenever the digital certificate is called for, such as with two factor authentication, the root provides the credentials of the digital certificate to the certificate authority or to another certificate containing a private key.

A PKI certificate is the result of the processes used to create a variety of different types of digital certificates. PKI means public key infrastructure and is the standard commonly used with digital certificates containing a digital signature. Digital signatures are encrypted electronic signatures that allow organizations to complete binding business transactions using digital formats in place of paper. This is because a digital signature requires two certificates -- one containing a private key, and the other containing a public key.

There can be some minor confusion about what single sign on authentication is and how it operates. First, this type of authentication is used by many organizations, from large global corporations, down to family-owned-and-operated businesses. It allows people to enter a single user name and password into their computer at log-on and to never have to enter it again.

A X509 certificate refers to all types of digital certificates, regardless of how they are utilized, and implies the current standardization used to design and create digital certificates. This standardization recognizes that the information, data and other embedded objects within a digital certificate are all placed exactly in the same location and in the same order.

2FA helps to secure any online system requiring user names and passwords by adding a second layer of protection. You might not think two factor authentication is needed to protect resources within your organization. However, you would be surprised as to how much unauthorized access occurs right within your business operation. For example, one of your managers is away from the office on business, but left their computer on in their office.

In order to use public key cryptography, as well as generate your own digital certificates, you will require a certification authority (CA) system. This type of system is one which is designed where the digital certificates created are able to be trusted, both internally at your organization, as well as by external users. For instance, a bank or financial institution could create and issue their own digital certificates for their customers to use anytime they are connecting to online banking features.

Public key cryptography is the basis used with electronic digital certificates for a variety of purposes and applications, including digital signatures, two factor authentication, cloud authentication, VPN authentication and e-invoicing. This kind of system requires that digital certificates contain one of two types of keys. One key is called the private key, and it is kept secret. The other key is called the public key, and it may be shared with anyone who needs to authenticate against the private key.

Using an RSA token is ideal for organizations that want to limit and control access in shared work environments. In this type of setup, you install different digital certificates directly onto a portable device, such as a smart card or USB jump drive. You are able to decide how to implement this solution depending upon your operation. For instance, you may allow your employees to log into workstations using their supplied user name and password and have the operating system create a unique profile for each user accessing the computer.

Securing connections any time your employees are accessing resources remotely using a UK VPN connection, Wi-Fi or other type of online connection is important, in order to protect your company’s data and valuable information. Making an unsecure connection could easily result in unwanted hackers attempting to access information illegally. In order to make sure your data is protected correctly, you need an added layer of protection. One way to achieve this second tier of added security is to use two factor authentication methods.

An E signature can help simplify obtaining signatures on documents and other such forms. For instance, your company may currently write up purchase requisitions on paper forms and have an employee take care of routing them throughout the business in order to obtain the necessary approvals. Conducting your business in this manner often results in delays as the requisitions have to pass through several people before they are returned. Additional delays could be experienced if one of the approvers is out of the office on business, or away on vacation.