What is a digital certificate?

A digital certificate serves as a critical component of the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) by providing proof of ownership for a public key. It contains essential information such as the identity of the certificate holder, the public key itself, and the digital signature of a Certificate Authority (CA). The CA is a trusted entity that vouches for the authenticity of the certificate holder's information. This verification process ensures that when someone receives a public key associated with a digital certificate, they can trust that it genuinely belongs to the person or organization it claims to represent. This trust is fundamental for secure communications, as it allows parties to exchange information confidently without the risk of impersonation or fraud.