What are the main requirements for a CA license application?
The main requirements for a Certificate Authority (CA) license application in China are as follows:
- Legal Entity Status: The applicant must be a legally established entity with the capacity to bear civil liabilities.
- Technical Infrastructure: The entity must have a reliable and secure technical infrastructure capable of supporting the issuance and management of digital certificates.
- 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.
- 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.
- Operational Procedures: The CA must have clear operational procedures and controls in place to manage the lifecycle of certificates, including issuance, revocation, and renewal.
- Physical Security: There must be stringent physical security measures to protect the CA's infrastructure and the cryptographic keys used for certificate issuance.
- Personnel Qualifications: The CA must employ qualified personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage and operate the CA services securely and efficiently.
- 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.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance: The CA must comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including those related to data protection, privacy, and electronic commerce.
- 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.