Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) Link to heading

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) provides a framework for managing digital certificates and public key infrastructure (PKI) within an Active Directory environment. This section covers the basics of AD CS, including its components, setup, and PKI concepts.

Overview of Certificate Services Link to heading

What is AD CS? Link to heading

• Definition: Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is a Windows Server role that provides services for issuing, managing, and revoking digital certificates.
• Purpose: AD CS supports secure communications, authentication, and data integrity through the use of digital certificates.

Components of AD CS Link to heading

• Certification Authority (CA):

  • Role: The CA is responsible for issuing and managing digital certificates. It validates certificate requests and ensures that certificates are properly signed.
  • Types:
    • Enterprise CA: Integrated with Active Directory and provides certificates for users and computers within the domain.
    • Standalone CA: Operates independently of Active Directory and is typically used for non-domain scenarios.

• Registration Authority (RA):

  • Role: The RA acts as a mediator between users and the CA. It verifies the identity of certificate requesters and forwards the requests to the CA for approval.
  • Usage: RA functionality can be integrated into the CA or deployed as a separate entity.

Setting Up a Certification Authority Link to heading

Installing and Configuring CA Link to heading

• Installation Steps:

  1. Open Server Manager: Launch Server Manager on the server where AD CS will be installed.
  2. Add Roles and Features: Navigate to the “Add Roles and Features” wizard and select “Active Directory Certificate Services.”
  3. Select Role Services: Choose the required role services, such as Certification Authority and Certification Authority Web Enrollment.
  4. Complete the Wizard: Follow the wizard to install AD CS and configure the CA, including specifying the CA type (Enterprise or Standalone) and configuring certificate database locations.

• Configuration:

  • CA Setup: Configure the CA by specifying the cryptographic settings, validity period, and certificate template settings.
  • Certificate Templates: Define and configure certificate templates for different types of certificates (e.g., user, computer, web server).

Managing Certificates Link to heading

• Certificate Enrollment:

  • Request Process: Users and computers request certificates from the CA. The CA verifies the request and issues the certificate.
  • Autoenrollment: Configure autoenrollment for automatic certificate issuance and renewal for domain-joined computers and users.

• Certificate Revocation:

  • Revocation Process: If a certificate is compromised or no longer needed, it can be revoked by the CA. Revoked certificates are added to the Certificate Revocation List (CRL).
  • CRL Distribution: Ensure that CRL distribution points are accessible to clients to check the status of certificates.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Link to heading

PKI Concepts and Benefits Link to heading

• Definition: Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a framework for managing digital certificates and public-key encryption. It involves a combination of hardware, software, policies, and procedures.

• Components:

  • Public and Private Keys: PKI uses pairs of cryptographic keys, with the public key available to everyone and the private key kept secret by the owner.
  • Digital Certificates: Certificates bind public keys to identities, enabling secure communication and authentication.

• Benefits:

  • Secure Communication: Ensures that data transmitted over networks is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping.
  • Authentication: Validates the identity of users and systems, ensuring that communications are only with trusted entities.
  • Data Integrity: Verifies that data has not been altered during transmission, maintaining its integrity.

Certificate Enrollment and Revocation Link to heading

• Enrollment:

  • Process: The process by which entities request and receive certificates from the CA. Enrollment can be manual or automated.
  • Approval: Certificates are issued based on approval from the CA after validating the request.

• Revocation:

  • Reasons: Certificates may be revoked due to compromise, expiration, or other issues that make the certificate invalid.
  • Management: Regularly update and publish the CRL to ensure that clients have up-to-date information about revoked certificates.