What action is taken when a token is found to be damaged?

When a token is found to be damaged, the appropriate action is to submit a revocation request. This is because a damaged token cannot be trusted to provide the security functionalities it is designed for, such as authentication or encryption. Revocation is a critical procedure in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) whereby a compromised or malfunctioning token is formally invalidated to prevent any potential misuse, ensuring the security integrity of the system.

Submitting a revocation request initiates the process of marking the damaged token as unusable within the PKI environment. This is essential to maintain the trust framework that underpins the PKI system, as it helps to prevent unauthorized access or fraudulent activities that could arise from relying on a compromised token.

Other potential actions, such as deleting the token from records, would not address the need for a formal revocation process, which is vital for maintaining accurate and up-to-date trust status information in the system. Renewing the token immediately may not be appropriate if the token is damaged, since it could simply replicate the issue with the new token. Informing the user to wait does not resolve the immediate security concern posed by the damaged token and could lead to lapses in security.