A system for authenticating a terminal includes a terminal included within an organization including a plurality of terminals, each having characteristic(s) and being at one or more positions within the organization. The system also includes a secondary certification authority (CA) capable of providing role certificate(s) to the terminal based upon the position(s) of the terminal, where the organization includes a plurality of secondary CA's capable of issuing role certificate(s) to respective groups of terminals of the organization. In addition, the system includes a tertiary CA capable of providing permission certificate(s) to the terminal based upon the characteristic(s) of the terminal, where the organization includes a plurality of tertiary CA's capable of issuing permission certificate(s) to respective sub-groups of terminals of the organization. The system further includes a server capable of authenticating the terminal based upon an identity certificate, the role certificate(s) and the permission certificate(s) of the terminal.