Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Practice Test

What is the primary purpose of using OSCP?

1. To better organize CRLs

2. To provide short-lived certificates

3. To remove time limitations from CRLs

4. To enhance security through immediate certificate revocation

The correct answer is: To remove time limitations from CRLs

The primary purpose of using Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) is to enhance security through immediate certificate revocation. OCSP allows clients to query the status of a digital certificate in real-time, enabling them to determine whether a certificate has been revoked or is still valid. This mechanism significantly improves upon the traditional method of Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs), which may contain outdated information since they can be updated only at certain intervals. By providing an immediate response to a revocation query, OCSP ensures that entities relying on the certificates can make timely decisions regarding their use, thereby minimizing the risk associated with expired or maliciously revoked certificates. This protocol is particularly crucial in scenarios where security is paramount, such as in e-commerce or secure communications, ensuring that any compromised or invalid certificates are identified and dealt with promptly. In contrast to the other statements, while organizing CRLs, managing short-lived certificates, or removing time limitations on CRLs could play roles in a broader certificate management strategy, they do not capture the core functionality and security advantage offered by OCSP in terms of immediate revocation status assessment.