DER (Distinguished Encoding Rules)

DER (Distinguished Encoding Rules) is a set of strict guidelines used to encode data securely and consistently in digital certificates and cryptography. It ensures that data like public keys or certificates are formatted in a single, standardized way so different systems can reliably interpret and verify them. Think of it as a detailed recipe that guarantees everyone produces the exact same "baked" output, minimizing errors or ambiguities, which is essential for secure communications and digital trust.