WISeKey Affiliate Certification Authorities (Platinum or Gold level) are organizations that have many members (certificate holders) and are widely recognized in their community as a Trusted Third Party. The level of investment and technical staffing required for Affiliate Certification Authorities is significantly different to the Affiliate Registration Organisation and Affiliate Registration Authority levels. Typically Affiliate Certification Authorities are either specifically set-up as a separate organisation, or as a department or subsidiary of an organisation. Normally, the decision to become an Affiliate Certification Authority is based upon the organisations internal need for such an infrastructure, their capacity to make the necessary investment and their ability to mass-market certification services. An Affiliate Certification Authority can brand its certification services and develop its own Certificate Policies and procedures, according to the requirements and needs of its market.