public key directory (PKI) (PKD)

The Public Key Directory (PKD) is a module of the security infrastructure( PKI). It is an electronic directory in which information about certificates is published.

Applications and systems have access to the Public Key Directory.

In connection with the machine-readable travel documents (MRTD), the German Federal Office for Information Security ( BSI) is setting up a national Public Key Directory that can also be accessed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for control purposes. Certificates and revocation lists from the various international PKDs can be obtained via this national PKD.