What is the primary function of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) in network security?

Question

Options

• ATo encrypt all network traffic automatically
• BTo provide a framework for digital certificates and encryption
• CTo assign VLANs dynamically
• DTo block unauthorized network traffic

• B
  94% (32)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) is a system of policies, procedures, hardware, software, and people that together manage digital certificates and public-key encryption - making B correct. It establishes trust by issuing, validating, and revoking digital certificates through Certificate Authorities (CAs), enabling secure authentication and encrypted communications.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A - PKI doesn't automatically encrypt all traffic; it provides the certificate framework that encryption protocols like TLS rely on, but encryption itself isn't automatic or universal.
• C - VLAN assignment is a Layer 2 switching function handled by protocols like 802.1Q or RADIUS, completely unrelated to PKI.
• D - Blocking unauthorized traffic is the job of firewalls and ACLs, not PKI.

Memory tip: Think of PKI as a digital notary system - just as a notary verifies identities and authenticates documents, PKI verifies identities and authenticates digital certificates. The word Infrastructure is the clue: it's a framework, not a specific tool that does one thing.

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