SSL/TLS certificate authorities

SSL/TLS certificate authorities are entities responsible for issuing digital certificates that verify the authenticity and ownership of a website or server. These certificates help ensure secure communication between a client and a server by enabling encryption of data in transit.

Certificate authorities (CAs) use a hierarchical system to issue digital certificates. The root CA, at the top of the hierarchy, is responsible for verifying the identity of other CAs that issue digital certificates below it. These intermediate CAs, in turn, can issue digital certificates to websites and servers.

When a client connects to a secure website, it requests the website's digital certificate from the server. The client's web browser uses the chain of trust established by the certificate hierarchy to verify the certificate's authenticity. If the certificate is valid, the browser establishes a secure encrypted connection with the server.

SSL/TLS certificate authorities play a critical role in ensuring the security of online communication. By verifying the identity of website owners and issuing digital certificates, they help prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and protect sensitive information such as passwords and financial transactions.