- Certificate-based authentication A digital identification process where a client or server proves their identity to another by showing a digital certificate. It's a way to ensure that an individual, device, or website is exactly who or what it purports to be to avoid spoofing or man-in-the-middle attacks. The certificates are issued by a trusted Certificate Authority, which verifies the identity of the entity before issuing the certificate. Certificate-based authentication is widely used in secure environments due to its robustness and ability to provide two-factor and mutual authentication.
- Certificate Management The process of creating, storing, distributing, revoking, and managing digital certificates. It involves oversight of the lifecycle of certificates to ensure they are up to date and being used correctly, preventing security lapses due to expired or compromised certificates. Good certificate management practices are essential for maintaining the security of encrypted communications and transactions.
- Certificate Policies A set of rules that outline the applicability of a specific certificate to a particular community and/or class of application with common security requirements. These rules define what actions should be taken under different circumstances, such as the process of issuing, renewing, or revoking a certificate. By providing a framework for the application and use of digital certificates, Certificate Policies ensure that all entities involved follow consistent practices, which is crucial for maintaining trust and security in digital transactions and communications.
- Certificate Practice Statement (CPS) A detailed document published by a Certificate Authority that outlines the practices and procedures used to manage the lifecycle of a certificate, from its issuance to its expiration or revocation. The CPS provides a comprehensive view of the CA's operations, including validation procedures, security measures, and liabilities. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in the CPS, the CA ensures the integrity, authenticity, and reliability of the certificates it issues, which, in turn, fosters trust and security in digital environments.
- Certificate Revocation The process of declaring a digital certificate as no longer valid before its scheduled expiration date. This can occur due to a number of reasons such as the certificate's private key being compromised, the certificate being issued in error, or the certificate holder no longer requiring the certificate. The revocation is typically handled by the issuing Certificate Authority, and the status of the revoked certificate is updated in real-time on a Certificate Revocation List (CRL) or via an Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) responder. Timely certificate revocation is critical in maintaining a secure digital environment as it prevents the use of invalid certificates, thereby protecting against unauthorized access and data breaches.
- Certificate Revocation List (CRL) A specific type of document maintained and published by a Certificate Authority that contains a list of digital certificates that have been revoked before their scheduled expiration date. The CRL is regularly updated and checked by services using the certificates, ensuring that any certificate that has been revoked is not trusted. By providing real-time information about the validity of certificates, CRLs play a vital role in maintaining the trust and security inherent in digital transactions and communications.
- Certification of Systems The formal process by which a system is evaluated against predefined criteria or standards to ensure it meets certain requirements related to quality, performance, and security. System certification often involves rigorous testing, analysis, and review by independent assessors or certifying bodies. In the context of IT and cybersecurity, certification might assess a system's compliance with security standards, such as ISO/IEC 27001, Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408), or NIST frameworks. Achieving certification typically signals that a system is reliable, secure, and trustworthy, and it can be a critical factor for businesses that prioritize data protection and wish to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their information systems.
- Chain Of Custody A process that tracks the movement and handling of evidence from the moment it is collected until the moment it is presented in court. It includes a written record of all individuals who have had custody of the evidence, documenting each transfer of custody and the reason for the transfer. In digital forensics, maintaining a proper chain of custody is crucial for the integrity of digital evidence. It ensures that digital evidence, such as log files or hard drives, can be verified as being handled and stored in a secure manner, preventing tampering or unauthorized access and making the evidence legally admissible in court.
- Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)A network authentication protocol where the server challenges a client to prove its identity. The server sends a unique challenge string, and the client responds with a value obtained by hashing the challenge with its password. If the values match, authentication is successful. CHAP provides more security than password-based authentication because the password is not sent over the network. It also periodically re-authenticates to protect against session hijacking.
- Challenge-response authentication A method of authentication in which a server presents a question or challenge to a user or system seeking access, who must then provide a valid answer or response. This type of authentication is often used in scenarios where passwords alone are deemed insufficiently secure. The challenge is typically a random number, and the response is the correct encryption of this number using a shared key. By ensuring that the response is correct, the system verifies the identity of the user or system, thereby enhancing the security of the access process.
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