Lesson 8 | Public and private CAs |
Objective | Describe the difference between public and private CAs. |
Using a public certificate server | |
Benefits | Drawbacks |
You can demonstrate your identity to the public. You generally receive insurance coverage when you purchase a digital certificate. A public digital certificate purchased from a reputable CA instantly increases public trust. | You have to trust the security used by these CAs. Purchasing a certificate is costly. |
Using a private certificate server | |
Benefits | Drawbacks |
Quick start-up: You can create your own key and get up and running right away. Relatively low cost: Because IIS 4.0 and Certificate Server, for example, are free, you can create your own trust system for no extracost. You have local control over trust issues; you only have to worry about your own server being compromised. | The chief drawback is that only users in your local intranet will trust your certificate. This will remain the case unless you become part of alarger trust system. |