Certificate Authority
A Certificate Authority (CA) is a trusted entity that issues digital certificates, which are used to verify the identity of websites, organizations, or individuals in online communications. It plays a critical role in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) by signing certificates with its private key, enabling secure data transmission through protocols like HTTPS. CAs help establish trust on the internet by ensuring that certificates are valid and not forged.
Developers should understand Certificate Authorities when implementing secure web applications, APIs, or any system requiring encrypted communication, as they are essential for SSL/TLS certificates that enable HTTPS. This knowledge is crucial for tasks like configuring web servers, managing certificates in cloud platforms, or developing authentication systems to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and ensure data integrity.