8 Funding

8.1.1 A PKI has high set up costs, but scales well with potentially low per user costs with high volumes. Existing private sector companies wear the initial start up costs, and charge higher transaction costs to recoup their investment.

8.1.2 For example, according to list prices, using an iKey™ smart-token, and BizCard-Individual certificate, current costs for 2500 policy analysts from Baycorp ID Services would be about $550K initially, and with annual fees and 25% staff turnover, $325K in subsequent years. This does not take into account any potential quantity discounts.

8.1.3 Private sector CAs typically charge on a per certificate basis. Other pricing models may appear, such as a combination of establishment fee, annual maintenance fee, and per cert fees.

8.1.4 There may be some central for any central directory component, however this will be considered as part of the Directory project rather than here.

8.1.5 As the number of digital certificates increases, digital certificate costs should reduce.