Electronic authentication means a service that is based on encryption technology, electronic signature, digital certificate, digital digest and so on, which are to be used to identify the signatory and the credibility and integrity of the document.

• 从字面上理解，凡是能颁发认证证书的机构都可以称之为认证机构。 但本文的认证机构具有特定的含义，它专指电子商务中对用户的电子签名颁发数字证书的机构，它已经成为开放性电子商务活动中不可缺少的信用服务机构。