The statement “PKI is commonly used to sign and/or encrypt data” is:

The statement “PKI is commonly used to sign and/or encrypt data” is:

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not applicable
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (A)

Public Key Infrastructure provides the framework for managing keys and certificates that enable two main security services: digital signatures and public-key encryption. A digital signature uses a private key to sign data, and anyone with the corresponding public key can verify that the data came from the claimed sender and hasn’t been altered. Encryption uses the recipient’s public key to scramble data so that only the holder of the matching private key can decrypt it, preserving confidentiality. PKI binds identities to keys through certificates issued by trusted authorities, making these operations reliable in real-world communications. Because PKI exists to support both signing and encryption, the statement is true. In practice you might focus on one or the other in particular contexts, but PKI’s purpose includes enabling both.

Public Key Infrastructure provides the framework for managing keys and certificates that enable two main security services: digital signatures and public-key encryption. A digital signature uses a private key to sign data, and anyone with the corresponding public key can verify that the data came from the claimed sender and hasn’t been altered. Encryption uses the recipient’s public key to scramble data so that only the holder of the matching private key can decrypt it, preserving confidentiality. PKI binds identities to keys through certificates issued by trusted authorities, making these operations reliable in real-world communications. Because PKI exists to support both signing and encryption, the statement is true. In practice you might focus on one or the other in particular contexts, but PKI’s purpose includes enabling both.