Whenever you create a PKI certificate you connect it a certificate authority system. Anytime a person uses the certificate, it is authenticated against the CA system. In cases where as certificate has not been assigned to a CA system, there can be user access issues. For example, you may not be able to open and log into an online web application because the certificate is unable to be authenticated.

A PKI Certificate Can be Distributed Using Different Methods

Access to an online system needs to be secured in order to prevent unauthorized access and potential hacking. One way to improve the security on your online system is to use two factor authentication, such as with your UK VPN. When the user establishes a connection, they are asked for a digital certificate that contains their authentication information. Once this is provided and confirmed, they are then able to enter in their user name and password to gain access.

Simulate Connectivity for Users Traveling Abroad with a UK VPN

For your high security data access in your organization, you will want to make sure you use some sort of revocation process with an e signature. Most organizations will use the Certificate Revocation List process as one method. With this method it can take time to send the information over your network to revoke certificates. An alternative method that is used for instant revocation is the Online Certificate Status Protocol.

Why Do Organizations Need to Cancel and Revoke an E Signature?

Public key cryptography is used with key management systems (KMS). KMS is required whenever your organization uses USB tokens and smart cards. This type of system manages and compares keys found on these types of devices. For example, when a user swipes their smart card, the key on the card is compared and authenticated against a private key contained on a server. As long as the key can be authenticated, access is granted.

Public Key Cryptography and a KMS Can be Used to Generate, Update, Import and Distribute Keys

You can store a user’s digital certificate and digital signature on an RSA token. The certificates are placed onto a portable USB device. The user can take their USB drive with them wherever they go. This allows the user to access their data and information from any workstation or computer connected to your network. Anytime they need to use their digital certificate or digital signature they access it through the USB drive.

Another Type of RSA Token Device Is a Smart Cart

You will need to assign an administrator to manage your certification authority system. The system administrator is responsible for reviewing requests for digital certificates and deciding whether to approve or deny requests. Requests can be for a variety of digital certificates used for various purposes within your organization, such as digital signatures and two factor authentication.

A Certification Authority System Will Require Routine Maintenance

You can use an electronic signature for code signing on macros, applets, and software. When you sign these types of data it informs users that they can trust your applications. You can authenticate the software or macro with the issuer and remove security warnings by using this method. The e-signature will need to be encrypted into a digital certificate as a digital signature in order to enable code signing.

An Electronic Signature Can Be Secured Using SSL Encryption

You should make sure to perform regular maintenance on a digital certificate system. Part of your maintenance will include revoking certificates no longer required, such as those that were issued to employees no longer in your service. When you do not revoke certificates, any user with access to the former employee’s computer will be able to use the certificates you had issued.

Issue New Certificates as Part of Digital Certificate System Maintenance

A certificate authority (CA) is a special type of system used by organizations to create and issue digital certificates. The system is also used to revoke certificates no longer required or being used. The type of digital certificates your organization creates is dependent upon their intended use. You can use the CA system to create multiple types of certificates, including digital signatures, PKI certificates and two factor authentication certificates.

Use Batch Creation with Your Certificate Authority System to Save Time

In order to use two factor authentication, you will need a certificate authority (CA) system. The CA system will create a digital certificate with the authentication information for each of your employees. Contained within the certificate will be the resources which they are allowed to access. Any resources using this type of authentication that are not contained within the certificate will not be able to be accessed.

Secure Different Types of Connections by Using Two Factor Authentication