glossary
What is public key infrastructure (PKI)?
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Use the 3-question Fit CheckPublic key infrastructure (PKI) is the framework used to issue, maintain, and revoke public-key certificates — the system that lets parties verify identities and exchange data securely using digital certificates.
What it means
Per NIST, PKI is the framework that creates, manages, and revokes public-key certificates. Those certificates bind an identity to a cryptographic key, which is what makes secure websites (HTTPS), signed code, and encrypted email trustworthy. PKI concepts appear in security, identity, and infrastructure roles.
Core source records
This table lists the page’s core content records and when they were checked. Claim-specific citations appear beside the relevant text and may not be repeated here.
| ID | Supports | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIT-01 | Definition source for What is public key infrastructure (PKI)? | National Institute of Standards and Technology — NIST CSRC Glossary | 2026-06-15 |
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