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Security Plus PKI - CERTIFICATE SIGNING REQUEST

  • Key Points from This Video on Certificate Signing Requests (CSR):

    • What is a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)?

      • According to NIST, a CSR is a request sent from a certificate requester to a Certificate Authority (CA) to apply for a digital identity certificate.
      • The CSR contains:
        1. The public key.
        2. Additional information to be included in the certificate.
        3. A digital signature created using the private key corresponding to the public key.

    • How Does a CSR Work?

      1. The CSR is created, containing the public key and other identifying information.
      2. The CSR is then signed with the private key of the entity making the request.
      3. The signed CSR is sent to the CA for review.
      4. The CA verifies the legitimacy of the request and the identity of the requester.
      5. After verification, the CA issues a digital certificate that:
        • Includes the public key from the CSR.
        • Is signed with the CA’s private key, proving its authenticity.

    • Purpose of the Digital Certificate:

      • Once the entity (e.g., a server) receives the certificate from the CA, it can:
        • Establish secure communication with clients.
        • Prove its identity to any client that connects, ensuring trust.

    • Main Sections of a CSR:

      1. Certificate Request Information:
        • Version Number: Indicates the CSR version.
        • Subject DN (Distinguished Name): Identifies the certificate requester (e.g., organization, location).
        • Public Key: The key that will be included in the certificate.
        • Attributes: Optional additional information or features.
      2. Signature Algorithm:
        • Specifies the algorithm used for signing (e.g., RSA or DSA).
      3. Signature:
        • Created by:
          1. Hashing all data in the Certificate Request Information section.
          2. Signing the hash with the entity’s private key.
        • This signature helps the CA verify the authenticity of the request.

    • Key Takeaways:

      1. A CSR is a formal request sent to a CA to obtain a digital certificate.
      2. The CSR includes a public key, identifying information, and a signature from the requester’s private key.
      3. The CA verifies the CSR and issues a certificate signed with the CA’s private key, ensuring its authenticity.
      4. The CSR structure mirrors parts of the final certificate, helping maintain consistency in secure communications.