iSACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification Practice Exam

What elements are typically included in a digital certificate?

1. Username and password

2. Public key and owner information

3. Only the expiration date

4. Public key and encryption algorithm only

The correct answer is: Public key and owner information

A digital certificate primarily serves to associate the identity of an entity with a public key using a trusted third-party, known as a Certificate Authority (CA). The correct answer includes both the public key and owner information, which are essential components of any digital certificate. The public key is crucial as it allows individuals or entities to send encrypted messages to the certificate holder or validate their digital signatures. The owner information, which typically includes the name of the individual or organization the certificate is issued to, along with details such as the certificate's validity period and the issuing CA’s information, ensures proper identification and trustworthiness. Understanding these components is vital in the realm of cybersecurity because digital certificates are foundational to secure communications on the internet, particularly in protocols like SSL/TLS. They help create a secure environment where data can be masked and authenticated, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring data integrity.