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CISSP · Question #1331

What is the second phase of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) key/certificate life-cycle management?

The correct answer is B. Initialization Phase. PKI certificate lifecycle management follows a defined sequence of phases from initial setup through eventual cancellation. The second phase in this lifecycle is the Initialization Phase.

Submitted by kwame.gh· Mar 5, 2026Security Architecture and Engineering

Question

What is the second phase of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) key/certificate life-cycle management?

Options

  • AImplementation Phase
  • BInitialization Phase
  • CCancellation Phase
  • DIssued Phase

How the community answered

(59 responses)
  • A
    2% (1)
  • B
    92% (54)
  • C
    3% (2)
  • D
    3% (2)

Why each option

PKI certificate lifecycle management follows a defined sequence of phases from initial setup through eventual cancellation. The second phase in this lifecycle is the Initialization Phase.

AImplementation Phase

The Implementation Phase is the first phase of the PKI lifecycle, not the second, as it covers the initial setup and deployment of the PKI infrastructure itself.

BInitialization PhaseCorrect

The PKI key/certificate lifecycle consists of phases in this order: (1) Implementation Phase, (2) Initialization Phase, (3) Issued Phase, and (4) Cancellation Phase. The Initialization Phase is where entities are prepared to interact with the PKI, including generating key pairs, submitting certificate signing requests (CSRs), and establishing trust relationships with the Certificate Authority (CA) before certificates are formally issued.

CCancellation Phase

The Cancellation Phase is the final (fourth) phase of the PKI lifecycle, dealing with certificate revocation, expiration, and end-of-life key destruction.

DIssued Phase

The Issued Phase is the third phase of the PKI lifecycle, occurring after Initialization, during which certificates are actively distributed and used for cryptographic operations.

Concept tested: PKI certificate lifecycle management phase ordering

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-cs/certification-authority-guidance

Topics

#PKI#Key lifecycle#Certificate management

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