Buying digital certificates, or public key certificates, can be a complex process. A digital certificate binds a public key with an identity and plays an essential role in securing communications over the internet and other networks. This enables a user or device to verify with whom they are communicating, while ensuring that those communications are private. Every security pro knows how digital certificates work, but very few know how to securely manage them from creation to retirement or revocation.
New products and vendors are appearing that promise scalable and secure lifecycle management of certificates. There are in-house, open source, cloud-based or subscription-based options, but can they truly deliver? Enterprises need to understand what managing the lifecycle of a digital certificate entails before they can buy digital certificates that meet specific needs and ensure robust certificate management going forward.