To apply for a Certificate Authority (CA) license, there isn't a specific type of business that is required; however, there are certain criteria and requirements that must be met. Here are the main requirements for a CA license application:

1. Legal Entity Status: The applicant must be a legally established entity with the capacity to bear civil liabilities. This means that the entity could be a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, or other legally recognized business structures .
2. Technical Infrastructure: The entity must have a reliable and secure technical infrastructure capable of supporting the issuance and management of digital certificates .
3. Compliance with Standards: Compliance with industry standards such as the CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements is mandatory. These standards cover SSL/TLS management, code signing, and network security .
4. Audits and Assessments: The CA must undergo extensive audits to ensure compliance with WebTrust Principles and Criteria and CA/B Forum Baseline Requirements. These audits assess financial, security, and business principles .
5. Operational Procedures: The CA must have clear operational procedures and controls in place to manage the lifecycle of certificates, including issuance, revocation, and renewal .
6. Physical Security: There must be stringent physical security measures to protect the CA's infrastructure and the cryptographic keys used for certificate issuance .
7. Personnel Qualifications: The CA must employ qualified personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage and operate the CA services securely and efficiently .
8. Business Continuity Plan: A robust business continuity plan must be in place to ensure the CA can continue operations in the event of a disaster or other significant disruption .
9. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: The CA must comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including those related to data protection, privacy, and electronic commerce .

The main requirements for a Certificate Authority (CA) license application in China are as follows:

1. Legal Entity Status: The applicant must be a legally established entity with the capacity to bear civil liabilities.
2. Technical Infrastructure: The entity must have a reliable and secure technical infrastructure capable of supporting the issuance and management of digital certificates.
3. Compliance with Standards: Compliance with industry standards such as the CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements is mandatory. These standards cover SSL/TLS management, code signing, and network security.
4. Audits and Assessments: The CA must undergo extensive audits to ensure compliance with WebTrust Principles and Criteria and CA/B Forum Baseline Requirements. These audits assess financial, security, and business principles.
5. Operational Procedures: The CA must have clear operational procedures and controls in place to manage the lifecycle of certificates, including issuance, revocation, and renewal.
6. Physical Security: There must be stringent physical security measures to protect the CA's infrastructure and the cryptographic keys used for certificate issuance.
7. Personnel Qualifications: The CA must employ qualified personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage and operate the CA services securely and efficiently.
8. Business Continuity Plan: A robust business continuity plan must be in place to ensure the CA can continue operations in the event of a disaster or other significant disruption.
9. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: The CA must comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including those related to data protection, privacy, and electronic commerce.
10. Application and Documentation: The application process will require the submission of detailed documentation, including business plans, technical specifications, and proof of compliance with the above requirements.

The process of obtaining a Certificate Authority (CA) license in China is regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). According to the information available, the duration for getting a CA license in China can vary, but here's a general idea based on the search results:

1. Application Process: The application for a CA license involves submitting necessary information and supporting documents to the local Communication Administrations under MIIT . The processing timeline can take approximately 7-10 business days for all documentation to be complete .
2. Processing Time: After the official filing of the application, it typically takes about 20 business days for the processing of the ICP application, which is a prerequisite for operating as a CA in China . However, this time frame can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the efficiency of the processing agency.
3. Additional Considerations: It's important to note that the application process and all documentation must be entirely in Chinese, which can be a significant barrier for foreign companies . Additionally, the requirements for an ICP Commercial License, which is necessary for companies looking to generate income from their site, are more thorough and can take longer due to additional scrutiny .

Becoming a Certificate Authority (CA) is a complex process that involves meeting specific requirements and adhering to industry standards. Here's a guide on how to become a CA:

1. Understand the Role of a CA: A CA is responsible for verifying and issuing digital certificates that ensure secure communication over the internet. They play a crucial role in maintaining the trust and security of online transactions .
2. Meet Technical Requirements: Your root and intermediate certificates must be included in the trust stores of different platforms like Microsoft, Apple, the Chromium Project (Google Chrome), and Mozilla to gain public trust .
3. Adhere to Industry Standards: Compliance with industry standards such as the CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements is mandatory. These standards outline the rules for SSL/TLS management, code signing, and network security .
4. Undergo Extensive Audits: Compliance with programs like WebTrust Principles and Criteria and CA/B Forum Baseline Requirements requires thorough audits. Auditors assess CAs based on financial, security, and business principles .
5. Significant Investment: Establishing a public CA involves substantial resources for secure storage devices and IT infrastructure. Additionally, there are costs associated with hiring security experts, training programs, and ongoing compliance reviews .
6. Distribution Efforts: Distributing your root certificate to all relevant devices and platforms can take years unless you opt for cross-signing with existing CAs, which is becoming increasingly uncommon .
7. Legal Basis and Regulation: In China, CA operations are regulated by laws such as the "Electronic Signature Law" and the "Cybersecurity Law." CAs must obtain a "Electronic Certification Service License" from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and comply with relevant laws and regulations to ensure the security and credibility of digital certificates .
8. Application Process: For becoming a new CA, you must fill out an application form and send it to the relevant email address, such as [[email protected]] for Microsoft's Trusted Root Certificate Program. Microsoft will review your application and may request additional documentation to determine if you meet the program requirements .
9. Create Your Own Private CA: For most organizations, setting up a private CA is more feasible. This involves distributing the root CA only within your internal network, allowing you to customize certificate profiles and policies according to your unique security needs .
10. Infrastructure and Key Management: Establish a robust IT infrastructure to support your private CA server. Generate root CA keys and certificates, and ensure the protection of cryptographic keys using hardware security modules (HSMs) .
11. Deployment of Root CA Certificates: Distribute the root CA certificates to all devices on your network to ensure seamless certificate validation .

Identifying whether a website uses an SSL certificate can be done through a few simple checks. Here's how you can determine if a website is secured with an SSL certificate:

1. Check the URL: The most obvious indication of an SSL certificate is the URL prefix. A secure website will display "https://" instead of "http://". The "s" stands for secure, indicating that the connection is encrypted.
2. Padlock Icon: In the address bar of most browsers, there will be a padlock icon to the left of the URL. This icon signifies that the website is using an SSL certificate to encrypt the data between the user and the server.
3. Certificate Details: By clicking on the padlock icon, users can view the certificate details. This will show the certificate's issuer, the organization that owns the certificate, and the certificate's validity period. This information confirms that the SSL certificate is active and has been issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
4. Green Address Bar: For Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates, the address bar turns green, indicating a higher level of trust and authentication. This is a visual cue that the website has undergone a rigorous vetting process by the CA.
5. Browser Warnings: If a website does not have an SSL certificate or if the certificate is expired or invalid, browsers will display warning messages. These warnings alert users that the connection is not secure and that their data may be at risk.
6. Technical Inspection: For a more technical approach, one can use online tools or browser extensions that check the SSL certificate status and provide detailed information about the encryption protocols and ciphers used.
7. Website Footer or Security Policies: Some websites may disclose their security practices, including the use of SSL certificates, in their privacy policy or security standards section, often found in the footer of the website.