Which component of PKI is responsible for issuing certificates to users or devices?

The Certificate Authority (CA) is the crucial component of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) that is responsible for issuing digital certificates to users or devices. The CA verifies the identities of the entities requesting certificates before issuing them, ensuring that each certificate contains an accurate representation of the identity it claims to represent. This process is vital for establishing trust in online communications and transactions, as the certificates are used to authenticate the identity of users and devices, providing assurance that they are who they claim to be.

The CA also plays a pivotal role in managing the lifecycle of certificates, including the process of certificate renewal and revocation. By signing the certificates it issues with its private key, the CA indicates that it has verified the identity of the certificate holder, and this signature can be validated by others using the CA’s public key.

Understanding the role of the Certificate Authority is fundamental in grasping how PKI functions, particularly when it comes to establishing secure communications and ensuring data integrity over untrusted networks.