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DIGITAL CERTIFICATION

Digital Certificate

Over the Internet, interaction takes place via an open network where there is no physical presence. Thus we do not know the identity of the people with whom we communicate and exchange. Virtual technology brings with it certain risks, such as identity theft (phishing), or the interception of our messages by third parties, or the repudiation of a sale, payment or exchange. In this context, setting up security services such as digital certification turns out to be necessary.

A digital certificate acts like an identity card on the Internet, creating a climate of trust between two distant entities (natural persons, Web servers, routers) which need to authenticate themselves to communicate with each other and to exchange confidential information.

A certificate specifies the name of a person, company or entity, and certifies that the public key included in the certificate belongs to it.

Any digital certificate is provided by a trustworthy third party or Certification Authority. This is an entity responsible for issuing, delivering and managing digital certificates. The identity of the owner of a certificate is guaranteed by the Certification Authority.

There are four kinds of digital certificate:

• Digital signature certificate: this associates the identity of a person with a public key. It may be used to sign electronic messages and to authenticate at a securized session (e.g. doing an electronic transfer payment)
• Server certificate: this associates the identity of a web server with a public key. It ensures security of exchanges between the server and its customers when a securized session is established. (e.g. for an on-line purchase or payment on a market web site)
• VPN certificate: this allows information concerning certain network nodes (routers, firewalls, concentrators…) to be associated with a public key. This certificate is used to guarantee the security of exchanges made between an organization and its branches via securized tunnels in the communications network.
• Code signature certificate: this allows a program, script or software to be signed to guarantee its authenticity by the signature of its developer. It also protects it against piracy risks.

For more information, please contact the Commercial Unit : +216 70 834 600 commercial@certification.tn