A database for reliably identifying a Security Profile of a device that generates digital signatures is managed by (a) maintaining the database in a secure environment, (b) recording in the database for each one of a plurality of devices manufactured in the secure environment, (i) a public key of a public-private key pair of the manufactured device, and in association therewith, (ii) a Security Profile of the manufactured device, the public key and Security Profile thereby being securely linked together, and (c) thereafter, when a linked public key successfully authenticates a digitally signed message, identifying the Security Profile associated with the linked public key as pertaining to the manufactured device to which belongs the private key utilized in digitally signing the message. Furthermore, a reference is communicated in a secure manner, the reference including the public key and Security Profile linked therewith for at least one of the manufactured devices.