Navigating PKI modernisation: understanding the emerging trends and challenges

DigiCert has shared findings from a global survey conducted by Omdia. The research indicates that 34% of organisations report having a comprehensive and current view of their digital certificates. According to the report, titled “PKI Under Pressure: The Tipping Point for Modernisation,” limited centralised oversight can make it more difficult for organisations to identify security gaps, manage outages, and respond to changes in cryptography requirements.

The report also highlights pressures related to certificate volume and machine identities. 74% of respondents expressed concern about certificate sprawl and outages linked to expired certificates. 80% of organisations said they are either initiating or planning PKI modernisation projects, and over half expect to increase investment in PKI over the next three years.

In the context of ongoing digital change, organisations are focusing on improving visibility, automation, and crypto-agility to manage associated risks. This includes increased use of centralised management platforms to support automation and oversight, as well as broader application of certificate lifecycle automation across different systems and emerging technologies.

Additional findings from the survey include:

• 76% of businesses consider central management tools to be business-critical.
• The most commonly reported challenges include limited visibility, fragmented solutions, and reliance on manual tracking methods such as spreadsheets.
• Among organisations that have modernised, 64% report increased certificate lifecycle automation and 60% report fewer outages.
• Between 72% and 75% of respondents indicate that PKI is increasingly used to help secure AI systems.
• 22% of organisations are currently assessing cryptographic systems for potential quantum-related risks.

The survey included responses from over 400 IT and technology leaders across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, representing organisations with more than 1,000 employees.