Back to to IoT Glossary

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Public key infrastructure (PKI) is a set of technologies and practices used to secure communications and transactions over the internet.

Public key infrastructure (PKI) is a framework of technologies and practices used to secure communications and transactions between devices and systems in the Internet of Things (IoT). PKI enables secure identification and authentication of devices, as well as encryption and decryption of data sent between devices, by using digital certificates, public and private keys, and other security mechanisms.In the context of IoT, PKI plays a critical role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data exchanged between devices. With the increasing number of connected devices and the sensitivity of data transmitted through IoT networks, PKI has become an essential component of cybersecurity for IoT.PKI is used in IoT for various applications, including secure remote access, secure firmware updates, and secure data exchange between devices. For example, PKI can be used to authenticate and encrypt data transmitted between a smart home device and a mobile app, or to authenticate a medical device before allowing access to patient data.Implementing PKI for IoT requires specialized security controls and technologies, including hardware security modules, secure boot processes, and secure key management practices. These measures are necessary to protect against cyber attacks and data breaches that can compromise the security and privacy of IoT systems.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Get the PDF
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Get the PDF