Which credential is an electronic document used for identity verification?

Which credential is an electronic document used for identity verification?

• A. Static password
• B. Something you have
• C. Biometric credential
• D. Digital certificate

Answer: (D)

An electronic document that proves identity and can be trusted by others is a digital certificate. It’s issued by a trusted Certificate Authority and binds a public key to a real identity. The certificate includes the identity details, who issued it, its validity period, and a digital signature from the issuer that can be verified. Because this verification is cryptographic, it lets a party confirm who you are and establish secure communication, such as when a browser checks a website’s identity with TLS. This stands in contrast to a static password (something you know), a biometric credential (something you are), or a physical token (something you have).

An electronic document that proves identity and can be trusted by others is a digital certificate. It’s issued by a trusted Certificate Authority and binds a public key to a real identity. The certificate includes the identity details, who issued it, its validity period, and a digital signature from the issuer that can be verified. Because this verification is cryptographic, it lets a party confirm who you are and establish secure communication, such as when a browser checks a website’s identity with TLS. This stands in contrast to a static password (something you know), a biometric credential (something you are), or a physical token (something you have).