Digital certificates are the central component in a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) used to protect personally identifiable information, prove that online merchants are authentic, and protect the integrity of online transactions. Yet, many people have never even heard of digital certificates. They are buried deep inside many applications and technologies in today's Web-powered world, which most people take for granted.

If you have ever shopped for a certificate, you know that there is a wide selection of products and vendors from which to choose. Knowing what you need and, more importantly, why you need it, can be pretty confusing-even for a seasoned professional. This guide to managing the certificate lifecycle will cover a range of topics surrounding digital certificates, with an eye towards giving you the inside track when it comes to making decisions about PKI. This guide is for both those new to digital certificates and for technologists with extensive experience.