In cooperation with the DFN, the University Computing Center offers a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) that enables the following services:

• User certificates:
  • Signing and encryption of files and documents
  • Signing and encryption of e-mails
• Group certificates:
  • Signing and encryption of e-mails
• Server certificates:
  • Tap-proof network connections via SSL/TLS

In the architecture of a PKI, there are one or more digital certification authorities (CAs) that issue digital certificates. These certification authorities must be known to the operating system and/or the software used so that the validity of a digital certificate can be checked.

• The first step is therefore to check whether these certification authorities are already present in the operating system / in the software to be used.
• The second step is to apply for and use a digital certificate.

The control and, if necessary, integration of the certification authorities into the operating system / the software used is described in the subitem certification authorities.

University members - with the exception of students - can obtain digital user certificates according to the X.509 standard. The application process is described in the subsection user certificates.

University members - with the exception of students - can receive digital group certificates according to the X.509 standard. The application process is described in the subsection group certificates.

University members - with the exception of students - can obtain digital server certificates according to the X.509 standard. The application process is described in the subsection server certificates.