The incorporation of the use of certificates for security services such as authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and non-repudiation.
What does PKE mean?
The term Public Key Enabling (PKE) refers to the use of public-key certificates and related infrastructure to provide services such as authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and non-repudiation. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is public key enabling (PKE) used in cryptography or COMSEC?
In practice, Public Key Enabling (PKE) is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: the use of public-key certificates and related infrastructure to provide services such as authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and non-repudiation. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system.
Why does public key enabling (PKE) need security controls?
Understanding Public Key Enabling (PKE) matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to the use of public-key certificates and related infrastructure to provide services such as authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and non-repudiation.
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The incorporation of the use of certificates for security services such as authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and non-repudiation.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Public Key Enabling (pke). In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/public-key-enabling-pke
Sources
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High consensus
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Multi-source
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