CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

During a network issue, what should be the first step when addressing a certificate validation problem?

1. Reboot the network devices

2. Check network connections

3. Examine certificate authorities

4. Update application software

The correct answer is: Examine certificate authorities

When addressing a certificate validation problem, examining certificate authorities is the most appropriate first step. Certificate validation relies heavily on the trust relationships established by certificate authorities (CAs). If a certificate is not automatically recognized as valid, it is essential to verify whether the CA that issued the certificate is trusted by the system or application experiencing the issue. This involves checking the list of trusted root certificates and ensuring that the relevant CA certificates are present and correctly configured. If a CA is missing or has been revoked, the validation process will fail, and no further steps will resolve the issue until this foundational aspect is addressed. Additionally, if the CA's certificates are expired or improperly configured, it could lead to validation problems, making this examination crucial before considering other troubleshooting steps. The other steps may be relevant in a broader context but do not directly address the fundamental nature of certificate validation issues as effectively as verifying the identity and trustworthiness of the CAs.