Treat the files that you export as very sensitive data. You are exporting both your public and private keys. If someone else has access to your private keys, they can attach your electronic signature or encrypt files with your information.
In the Finder, open Utilities
Open Keychain Access.
Select your signing and encryption certificates from the list of displayed keychain items.
From the File menu, select Export.
Enter the name of the file you are exporting and select the P12 format.
Choose the location and filename destination where you want to export your certificate and click Next.
When prompted, create a password for the certificate files.
Be sure that you create a password that you will be able to remember at a later date or that you can store it in a separate location that is also secure. The password will be required to move the files to another computer or device or if you ever have to use the files to restore your certificates.
There are several options for storing your backup copy of your certificates. You can:
Use portable media, such as a flash drive. Save the files to the drive and then store the flash drive in a secure location, such as a locked file cabinet or a safe.
Use a CD. Write the files to the CD and then store the CD in a secure location, such as a locked file cabinet or a safe.
Remember that you MUST have the password you created in step 7, above, in order to use the backups.
Please do not ask anyone else, such as desktop support staff, to store the backup copies of your certificates for you. It is a security risk to allow someone else to have access to the private keys that are included in the backup files.
There are several options for moving your certificate files from one machine to another. You can:
Use portable media, such as a flash drive. Save the files to the drive in the first computer and then move the flash drive to the other computer.
Use a CD. Write the files to the CD and then move the CD to the other computer.
Email the certificate files to yourself from the first computer, and then open the email on the other computer. You can save the files the way you would any other attachment.