What is the primary role of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?

The primary role of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is to manage digital certificates and public-key encryption, which is crucial for establishing secure communications over a network. PKI provides a framework for the issuance, revocation, and management of digital certificates, which bind public keys to the identities of entities (such as users or devices). This process ensures that when data is encrypted with a public key, only the corresponding private key holder can decrypt it, establishing confidentiality and trust.

Digital certificates play a vital role in authenticating the identities of parties involved in a communication, thereby helping to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and ensuring that sensitive data such as personal information or financial transactions are transmitted securely. In addition to enhancing security, PKI supports integrity and non-repudiation through the use of digital signatures, which confirm that data has not been altered and that the sender cannot deny having sent the information.

The incorrect options do not align with the core functions of PKI. For instance, enhancing user interface design, ensuring data storage efficiency, and creating strong passwords, while important aspects of an overall information security strategy, do not directly relate to the fundamental purpose of PKI.