Digital documents used to verify the identity of non-human entities.
Description
In the context of Non-Human Identity Management, 'Certificates' refer to digital documents that authenticate and validate the identities of non-human entities such as devices, applications, and services. These certificates are typically issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) and contain information such as the entity's public key, identity details, and the CA's digital signature. Certificates play a crucial role in establishing secure communications over networks, enabling protocols like TLS/SSL, and supporting various identity management frameworks. By utilizing certificates, organizations can ensure that only authorized devices and services can interact within their ecosystems, thereby enhancing security and trust. The management of these certificates includes issuance, renewal, and revocation processes, which are essential for maintaining the integrity of the identity management system. As the Internet of Things (IoT) and other automated systems continue to expand, the effective use of certificates for non-human identities becomes increasingly important to safeguard against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Examples
- X.509 Certificates used for TLS/SSL encryption in web servers.
- Device certificates issued to IoT devices for secure communication.
Additional Information
- Certificates can be self-signed or issued by a trusted third party.
- Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is commonly used to manage and distribute certificates.