Public Key Infrastructure

Digital certificates are the backbone of the e-commerce environment driving today’s Internet economy.  They are compared to an Internet drivers license, because they identify the computer user to programs that need to authorize access.  Computer users trust certificates every time they browse the Internet or download a program.  Public Key Infrastructure is the system specified by open standards that allows users to safely browse the internet using digital certificates.

ARINC enables customers to identify themselves to numerous PKI-enabled solutions, allowing access to secure applications.  These applications may be ARINC services that use digital certificates.  ARINC services that use digital certificate include GateFusion and the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS).  Other services and applications outside of ARINC also can use ARINC certificates.  The FAA has been using the ARINC Digital Signature Service for more than a decade.  ARINC is also proud to be a provider of CertiPath Certificates, which will become the basis for aviation-centered PKI solutions in the future.