What is the function of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?

The function of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is to manage digital certificates and public-key encryption. PKI provides the necessary framework to facilitate secure communication and transactions over networks by ensuring that keys and certificates are issued, managed, and revoked effectively.

Digital certificates, which are an essential component of PKI, are used to verify the identity of entities engaged in secure communications. They bind a public key to an identity, enabling entities to authenticate each other without having to share private keys. This process is critical in establishing secure connections, such as those used in HTTPS for secure web browsing, email encryption, and various other applications that rely on confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity.

Public-key encryption is a critical function of PKI as it allows two parties to communicate securely without needing to share a secret key beforehand. The public key encrypts the data, while only the corresponding private key can decrypt it, ensuring that even if the encrypted data is intercepted, it cannot be read without the private key.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of security management but do not describe the primary role of PKI in detail. Managing user accounts and access permissions, protecting against physical security threats, and securely storing and distributing sensitive data are all critical components of a