Which entity is responsible for creating, signing, and revoking asymmetric keys?

Which entity is responsible for creating, signing, and revoking asymmetric keys?

• A. Cryptographic Manager
• B. Certificate Authority
• C. Registration Authority
• D. Key Escrow Service

Answer: (B)

The Certificate Authority (CA) is the entity responsible for creating, signing, and revoking asymmetric keys. This is a critical function in the field of cryptography and online security. The CA issues digital certificates that authenticate the identity of individuals or entities and bind public keys to that identity. When a new key pair is generated, the public key is sent to the CA along with a request for certification. The CA verifies the requester’s identity and then signs the public key with its private key, thereby creating a digital certificate. This certificate can be used by others to verify that the public key belongs to the identified entity. Additionally, the CA has the authority to revoke certificates when needed, such as when a private key is compromised or when the entity no longer requires the key. This revocation mechanism is vital to maintaining trust in the cryptographic framework provided by the CA, as it helps ensure that public keys remain valid and secure. In contrast, other entities like the Cryptographic Manager, Registration Authority, and Key Escrow Service have different roles that do not encompass the full lifecycle of asymmetric key management that the CA provides.

The Certificate Authority (CA) is the entity responsible for creating, signing, and revoking asymmetric keys. This is a critical function in the field of cryptography and online security. The CA issues digital certificates that authenticate the identity of individuals or entities and bind public keys to that identity.

When a new key pair is generated, the public key is sent to the CA along with a request for certification. The CA verifies the requester’s identity and then signs the public key with its private key, thereby creating a digital certificate. This certificate can be used by others to verify that the public key belongs to the identified entity.

Additionally, the CA has the authority to revoke certificates when needed, such as when a private key is compromised or when the entity no longer requires the key. This revocation mechanism is vital to maintaining trust in the cryptographic framework provided by the CA, as it helps ensure that public keys remain valid and secure.

In contrast, other entities like the Cryptographic Manager, Registration Authority, and Key Escrow Service have different roles that do not encompass the full lifecycle of asymmetric key management that the CA provides.