Final answer:
The Certificate Authority (CA) is responsible for issuing digital certificates, managing their lifecycle, and facilitating secure communication through encryption by providing a public key within the certificates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Certificate Authority (CA) performs several critical functions in the realm of digital security. Primarily, its responsibilities include:
- Issuing digital certificates - The CA validates the identity of entities such as companies, websites, or individuals before issuing a digital certificate. This certificate helps to establish a trusted connection between a user's browser and the website's server, ensuring secure transactions.
- Management of certificate lifecycle - The CA oversees the entire lifecycle of a digital certificate, from issuance to expiration, and may also handle renewals and revocations as necessary.
- Ensuring secure communication - By providing a public key within the digital certificate, the CA enables secure communication through encryption, crucial for protecting sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
Together, these functions are pivotal in maintaining the integrity and security of online transactions and communications.