A certificate that provides authentication of the identity claimed. Within the National Security System (NSS) public key infrastructure (PKI), identity certificates may be used only for authentication or may be used for both authentication and digital signatures. Source: CNSSI No. 1300
What is identity certificate?
The term Identity Certificate refers to a digital certificate binding identity information to a public key so relying parties can authenticate the certificate subject under an established trust framework. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is identity certificate used in cryptography or COMSEC?
In practice, Identity Certificate is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: a digital certificate binding identity information to a public key so relying parties can authenticate the certificate subject under an established trust framework. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system.
Why does identity certificate need security controls?
Understanding Identity Certificate matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to a digital certificate binding identity information to a public key so relying parties can authenticate the certificate subject under an established trust framework.
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A certificate that provides authentication of the identity claimed. Within the National Security System (NSS) public key infrastructure (PKI), identity certificates may be used only for authentication or may be used for both authentication and digital signatures. Source: CNSSI No. 1300
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Identity Certificate. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/identity-certificate
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High consensus
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