Training and Certification Working Group Charter (TCWG)

This Working Group Charter has been created according to the “Working Groups” section of the Bylaws of the PKI Consortium (“PKIC”). In the event of a conflict between this Charter and any provision in either the Bylaws or the IPR Policy, the provision in the Bylaws or IPR Policy shall take precedence.

Summary of the Working Group

Introduction

The Training and Certification Working Group (TCWG) unites professionals and organizations dedicated to advancing knowledge and skills in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Recognizing the critical role that PKI plays in securing digital communications and transactions, this working group aims to make PKI knowledge more accessible and to provide structured paths for individuals and organizations to validate their expertise.

Our primary focus is on developing high-quality training materials and certification programs that address the diverse needs of the PKI community. By fostering a collaborative environment, the TCWG encourages the sharing of best practices, innovative strategies, and emerging trends in PKI. This collaboration not only enhances the skills of individual practitioners but also strengthens the overall security posture of organizations implementing PKI solutions.

Training is a key component of our mission. We strive to identify or create comprehensive, up-to-date training materials that cover both fundamental concepts and advanced topics in PKI. These materials are designed to be accessible to a wide audience, from beginners to experienced professionals, ensuring that everyone can benefit from a solid understanding of PKI principles and practices.

Certification is the second pillar of our mission. In a rapidly evolving field like PKI, it is crucial for professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through recognized credentials. The TCWG aims to foster the development and administration of certification programs that provide a reliable measure of an individual’s PKI proficiency. These certifications will help organizations identify qualified candidates and support career development for PKI professionals.

By bringing together experts and stakeholders from various sectors, the TCWG will serve as a central hub for PKI training and certification. Through our efforts, we hope to elevate the standards of PKI practice, promote widespread adoption of robust security measures, and ultimately contribute to the resilience and trustworthiness of the global digital infrastructure.

Scope

The scope of this working group is to provide a comprehensive platform for discussing, developing, and sharing information on PKI training and certification. This includes:

• Identifying or developing and maintaining high-quality training materials for a diverse audience.
• Creating or contributing to self-assessment tools to help individuals gauge their PKI knowledge.
• Fostering the establishment of certification programs to formally recognize PKI expertise.
• Facilitating the exchange of best practices and emerging trends within the PKI community.
• Encouraging active participation and collaboration among members.
• Continuously assessing and responding to the evolving needs of the PKI industry.

Objectives and Goals

The objectives and goals of the TCWG are to:

• Coordinate the identification and/or development and dissemination of comprehensive PKI training materials.
• Enable individuals to self-assess their PKI knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
• Foster the development of certification programs to formally attest to an individual’s PKI proficiency.
• Foster a collaborative environment for sharing best practices and innovative strategies.
• Support the professional development of PKI practitioners.
• Enhance the overall security and integrity of digital communications and transactions.

Summary of the Deliverables

The deliverables of the TCWG include:

• PKI Training Materials: Comprehensive taxonomy of up-to-date resources covering fundamental and advanced PKI topics.
• PKI Training Self-Assessment Tools: Resources for individuals to evaluate their PKI knowledge.
• PKI Training Certification Programs: Formal certification mechanisms developed independently or in collaboration with external certification bodies.

Means of Communication

A private mailing list is used for communication between Working Group Members.

Interested parties can contribute using the community discussions on GitHub, and Working Group Members will actively participate in those discussions.

Planning and action items are managed as issues within the same repository where the deliverables are published.

Membership and Participation

Organizations that are eligible to join this Working Group follow the membership process as described in the Bylaws of the PKIC, section “Membership”.

In accordance with the IPR policy, Members that choose to participate in this Working Group must declare their participation prior to participating by contacting the Chair of this Working Group.

The Chair of this Working Group must establish a list for declarations of participation and manage it in accordance with the PKIC Bylaws and the IPR policy and agreement.

Non-members can participate using the community discussions.

Decision Process

The decision process follows the Bylaws of the PKIC, with reference to sections “Voting” and “Working Group”.

All decisions in this Working Group shall be made by substantial consensus (as determined by the Working Group Chair) of all PKIC Members including interested parties. If substantial consensus cannot be reached (or upon the request of any three PKIC Members), the matter will be submitted for decision by the Executive Council.

IPR Policy

This Working Group is subject to the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement, Code of Conduct, and Bylaws of the PKIC, including the Antitrust Policy.

Antitrust Policy

In accordance with the PKIC antitrust policy, as stated by the PKIC Bylaws, an antitrust statement should be applied and read at the start of all Working Group meetings, in substantially the form written in PKIC Bylaws, chapter “Antitrust Policy”.

Other Applicable Policies

Any relevant PKIC policies defined by the Bylaws must be followed if not specifically excluded by this Working Group Charter.