iSACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification Practice Exam

What is the main function of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?

1. To encrypt data in transit

2. To issue and manage public key certificates

3. To create backdoor access for users

4. To audit network security protocols

The correct answer is: To issue and manage public key certificates

The main function of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is to issue and manage public key certificates. PKI provides a framework that enables secure data exchange and communication through the use of asymmetric cryptography, which relies on a pair of keys—a public key and a private key. Public key certificates are digital documents that bind an individual's identity to their public key, allowing users to verify the authenticity of that public key and thus the identity of the owner. This is crucial for establishing trust in digital communications and transactions, as it ensures that the public keys being used to encrypt or sign information can be reliably associated with the correct entities. By managing certificates and their lifecycles—including creation, distribution, revocation, and renewal—PKI helps maintain the integrity of the cryptographic processes it supports, which is essential for secure online interactions, including email encryption, digital signatures, and secure web communications (HTTPS). The other options do not encapsulate the primary function of PKI as effectively. While PKI can facilitate secure communications (which may involve data encryption in transit), its core responsibility is tied to certificate management rather than directly encrypting data. Some options might suggest activities that can occur in a secure environment, but they do not represent the central purpose of PK