NCDC was established by the E-Commerce Standing Committee’s resolution dated 10/01/1422H by which KACST was commissioned to establish and operate the public key infrastructure. This was then approved by royal decree No. 7/B/9378 dated 17/05/1422H. Early in 1426H, responsibility for NCDC was transferred form KACST to MCIT. NCDC provides integrated system for management of the public key infrastructure. It is a security integrated system for managing security keys used for achieving information confidentiality, authentication of users' identities, ensuring data integrity against tampering and change, and using digital signatures. This security structure enables all types and classes of web users to perform electronic transactions in full security, credibility and safety.

By issuance of regulations and policies via the Certification Policy (CP) and the Certificate Practice Statement (CPS), the center grants licenses to Certification Authorities (CAs) of both public and private sectors. It also oversees the administration of CAs as well as on their operations. Furthermore, the center ensures the validity of the procedures applicable to issuance of digital certificates and the users rights and privacy. Without the root CA, which is part of NCDC, dependence on cross certification with other CS's becomes required, which is rather complicated and needs constant coordination between the CA's issuing digital certificates.