What is a TLS/SSL Certificate?
An SSL/TLS certificate from the certificate authorities (CAs) should be convenient as it has two forms of web security capabilities. This process usually ensures that the website and servers are legal, the users are connected to the right locations, and the man-in-the-middle attacks are ruled out.
As another aspect, the TLS/SSL certificates also encrypt the data coming from a server to a client, hence blocking any interruption of the connection and decrypting that data in an unauthorized way.
This kind of encryption provides two security features, i.e., confidentiality and integrity, which is the prerequisite for immutable and secure data storage in the blockchain. It shields credentials for login, data of transactions, and personal information.
The generated TLS/SSL certificates put details about the domain (Common Name), the issuer’s details, their public key, validity period, and digital signature.
To begin with, TLS/SSL certificates are believed to be obligatory shields for preserving the site’s and the user’s privacy. They help to avoid privacy violation incidents and maintain any web activity’s security, be it a website, web application, e-mail server, etc.
Steps for a Quick and Effective Transition to 90-Day TLS/SSL Certificates
Below are the five must-do steps for a Quick and Effective Transition to 90-day TLS/SSL Certificates:
Conduct a Comprehensive Inventory of Current Certificates
A company needs a transparent, comprehensive inventory of all TLS/SSL certificates before moving to TLS adoption. This inventory should be done in all domains of an enterprise network.
The monthly inventory must be prepared, and it should include the identity of the CA authority, the date of the expiration, and any associated domain names. Also, specific configurations and interdependencies could be included.
Such jobs will be automated by IT instruments that will scan networks and systems with the purpose of recognizing all certificates and avoiding missing ones.
Implement Automated Certificate Management Solutions
Can we envisage that these certificates become valid only for 90 days, and it is problematic to manage a certificate with endless numbers of revocations?
By utilizing the automatic certificate management system that tends to apply the said processes, the issuance, renewal, and cancellation are done effortlessly.
Those could be part of the native integration with the current infrastructure like web servers, load balancers, etc., that would help without a hitch cert issue and client deployment.
Such services like monitoring and alerting for receiving any certificate that may expire in the progression of time will also be contained in their offerings.
Adopt a DevOps Mindset for Continuous Integration and Deployment
The concept of DevOps was deduced from the results of continuously integrating and then deploying software releases. In the context of CI/CD pipelines, we are introducing the certificate management process.
Certificate provisioning may be issued simultaneously when the application is deployed, and thus, the process can be somewhat aided. This system would provide a schedule in which certificates had no strict specified date and make automation possible as there is no need for human checking.
Moreover, in this sense, it offers a fast way to handle security events and any other changes that may appear, so considerably reducing downtime, and this way helps provide the flexibility required.
Develop Robust Monitoring and Alerting Instrumentation
To begin with, the primary purpose of the monitoring is to maintain the certificates and their durability.
Companies need to conclude their systems with strong monitoring and alerting, which can help identify any problems — e.g., the expiration of the security certificate, misconfiguration issues, or unauthorized certificates’ release.
Accurate monitoring of rising security situations helps to identify and resolve security risks before creating service intermittency or security breaches.
Stay Proactively Informed About Industry Trends and Best Practices
Managing the SSL certificate in everyday life is a perpetual process as new technologies, standards, and best practices develop constantly.
Organizations need to be aware of and be ahead of the changes to keep up with the trends in the industry, regulation requirements, and security standards.
Being capable of presenting to industry forums, attending conferences, and staying in touch with the cybersecurity web will bring about different relevant information, which will be useful in networking.
Conclusion
The 90-day TLS/SSL certificate transition is more than just a compliance occasion but a meaningful step in cultivating cybersecurity survivability and keeping trust in the digital land.
By implementing these five major principles covered in this post, organizations can reduce their certificate management burdens, avoid security threats, and better serve their customers.
The business will be capable of mitigating cyber risks and keeping its online assets secure and intact.
Top comments (0)