What is the function of public key infrastructure?

The function of public key infrastructure (PKI) is to provide a connection between users and encryption keys. PKI is a framework that enables secure communication and data exchange over networks like the internet by using a combination of hardware, software, policies, and standards to manage digital certificates and public-key encryption. It allows users to exchange information securely, authenticate identities, and ensure that the data has not been altered in transit.

In PKI, digital certificates are issued by a certificate authority (CA), which links a public key to the identity of the user or entity that holds the corresponding private key. This connection is crucial because it verifies that the public key belongs to the legitimate owner, enabling secure communications, such as encrypting emails or establishing secure web connections (HTTPS).

The other possible functions, such as storing user passwords securely, monitoring network traffic, or managing database entries, fall outside the scope of PKI. While those functions are important for overall cybersecurity and data management, they do not illustrate the primary role of PKI in connecting users with their encryption keys for secure communication.