Demand for specialized Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) offerings will escalate driven by post-quantum cryptographic concerns and the need for shorter certificate lifecycles.
According to ABI Research, the convergence of PKI and Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions is set to dominate the market by 2030, reflecting a significant shift in how organisations manage their digital security.
The urgency for cryptoagility—rapid adaptation to cryptographic changes—has become paramount. Vendors are now recognising the necessity to enhance asset visibility and management, particularly as enterprises grapple with increasingly complex environments.
Notable PKI leaders, including Entrust, GlobalSign, Keyfactor, AppViewX, Digicert, and Sectigo, are responding by offering comprehensive PKI-CLM solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of their customers.
Newer companies such as Garantir, Ascertia, and Evertrust are also emerging with innovative PKI-CLM solutions that prioritise flexibility and modularity. These firms aim to fill the service gaps across various PKI use cases, which now include not only traditional applications like digital signatures but also newer demands such as secure communications for IoT devices and authentication of AI-generated content.
Aisling Dawson, an industry analyst at ABI Research, points out that both public and private sectors are experiencing a push towards shortened certificate lifecycles.
This shift is driven by regulatory mandates and a growing focus on maintaining data freshness as organisations transition to quantum-resilient systems. However, the shortage of in-house PKI expertise complicates asset visibility and management, leading to a heightened demand for managed PKI offerings.
The PKI market's diversification means that while enterprise, financial, retail, and cloud sectors currently lead in market share, manufacturing and government segments are rapidly catching up. Companies with expertise in IoT, such as SEALSQ, along with those experienced in identity management, like Veridos and IN Groupe, are well-positioned for growth in these emerging markets over the next five to ten years.
To capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities within the PKI market, vendors must craft practical use cases that resonate with the diverse business needs of various sectors. This holistic approach will require integrating quantum-resilient features into their offerings, ensuring that organisations are not only prepared for current challenges but also positioned to thrive in a future defined by rapid technological change.
