Abstract  This paper discusses some design and management issues in running an open PKI, based on the experience gained in the day-by-day operation of the EuroPKI infrastructure. The problems are discussed with an historical perspective that includes real-life lessons learnt in EuroPKI about certification practices, services and applications. User-reported problems are also discussed to identify problems that hamper large scale adoption of public-key certificates. The article closes with a general outlook for the field and the description of the future EuroPKI plans.