Final answer:
In a PKI, the certificate authority is responsible for issuing and managing digital certificates, which are used to establish secure communication through encryption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two important components of a public key infrastructure (PKI) used in network security are the certificate authority (CA) and digital certificates. The certificate authority is a trusted entity that issues, manages, and verifies digital certificates, which are vital for establishing a secure communication channel through encryption. Digital certificates are electronic credentials that associate the ownership of a public key with the entity that holds the corresponding private key, providing assurance that the public key can be trusted.