PKI: it's not dead, just resting

JOURNAL:  Computer (IEEE Computer Society)
AUTHORS:   Peter Gutmann

SUMMARY:  Like other flexible objects, the public key infrastructure sacrifices some utility in trying to be all things to all people. Mainly, PKI's generic, all-purpose identity certificates fall short of what the marketplace demands, forcing vendors to develop more economically efficient, useful, and imaginative business models. Thus, we must adapt the PKI design to the real world rather than trying to constrain the real world to match the PKI.


CULTURAL REFERENCE:  The "Dead Parrot Sketch, is a popular sketch from Monty Python's Flying Circus. The sketch portrays a conflict between disgruntled customer Mr Praline and a shopkeeper, who hold contradictory positions on the vital state of a "Norwegian Blue" parrot.

Scientific Paper

Sketch