Trust is good, control is better. That's especially true on the Web. Trusted information exchange over the network needs a system that authenticates content and protects it from unauthorised access. This system is known as a public key infrastructure (PKI). A PKI issues, distributes and verifies digital certificates. These are digitally signed files that associate a cryptographic key with a particular owner. Certificates can belong to an individual, a server, a service or a router.
Signalling in the browser
With a server certificate from SWITCHpki, website visitors can be safe in the knowledge that they are connected to the right system. The server presents them with its certificate as a kind of digital ID as soon as they connect. The browser checks it and then signals that it has successfully identified the server in two ways: with "https://" in the address bar and with a padlock symbol. SWITCHpki also offers universities an even more secure option in the form of Extended Validation certificates, which turn the address bar green.
Attractive terms
SWITCH offers universities two PKI options. The SWITCH registry helps smaller organisations with the task of issuing new certificates, while larger clients can handle the whole process themselves. Universities benefit from attractive terms and discounts in both cases.
Services at a glance
- Negotiation of terms with certification service providers
- Organisational review
- Registry
- Portal for ordering digital certificates, including delivery
Benefits for universities
- Bespoke support
- Attractive terms and discounts compared with commercial providers
- Single point of contact
