Public Key Technology

Under the renewed Policy on Government Security, departments are responsible for ensuring the security of their electronic business processes and for selecting and implementing the appropriate technical solutions that will meet their security needs and the Government of Canada security and identity objectives.

The policy and its supporting instruments are technology neutral and will not prescribe specific technology that must be used to meet requirements. Instead, TBS will develop guidance to assist departments with selecting appropriate technology. For departments interested in implementing or continuing to use public key technology, TBS is developing a Guideline on Managing Public Key Infrastructure.

The guideline will provide information on the roles, responsibilities and services of Lead Agencies with respect to public key technology, and will outline to departments best practices, processes and methods for managing their public key infrastructure. Departments which have implemented public key technology as prescribed by the PKI Policy should use this guidance to transition and ensure their use and management of public key technology is aligned with the requirements found in the Policy on Government Security.

The former PKI website has been archived and is now available on the Library and Archives Canada website.