Certificate Management

Digital certificates are cryptographic credentials that serve as a digital counterpart to physical identification documents, such as passports or driver’s licenses. They are primarily used in the realm of online security to authenticate the identity of various entities, including websites, servers, and individuals. These certificates are built upon public key infrastructure (PKI) and contain information about the certificate holder, their public key, the certificate’s expiration date, and the digital signature of the certificate authority (CA). When a user or system encounters a digital certificate, it can verify the authenticity of the entity it represents and establish secure encrypted connections for data transmission.

Digital certificates play a crucial role in ensuring the security and integrity of online communications. Their necessity arises from the fundamental need to establish trust in the virtual world. With the proliferation of online activities, ranging from e-commerce transactions to secure data exchange, there is a continuous need to protect sensitive information and ensure that it remains confidential and uncompromised. Digital certificates are needed to achieve this by providing a reliable means of confirming the identity of the parties involved and encrypting the data to prevent unauthorized access or tampering.

An SSL/TLS certificate serves as a means to verify a website’s identity and establish secure connections. The SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) security protocol facilitates encrypted communication between two devices, and an SSL certificate, a compact data file, leverages this security protocol to perform the following key functions:

Authentication – SSL certificates act as credentials to confirm a website’s identity, with the level of validation dependent on the type of certificate obtained.

Secure data exchange – When deployed on a web server, SSL activates the HTTPS protocol, establishing a secure link between the server and a web browser. This also triggers the appearance of a padlock icon in the browser.

Certificates issued by trusted CAs are recognized by web browsers as legitimate, enabling the display of security indicators within the browser.

Digital certificates come in several types, each offering different levels of validation and trust. The most common types include:

• Domain Validation (DV) Certificates: These certificates provide the most basic level of validation, primarily confirming the ownership of the domain associated with the certificate. DV certificates are typically issued quickly, as the CA verifies domain ownership through email or other straightforward means.

• Organization Validation (OV) Certificates: OV certificates go beyond domain validation and also verify the legal entity behind the website. CA’s conducting OV validations check the organization’s details to provide a higher level of trust and authentication.

• Extended Validation (EV) Certificates: EV certificates are the most stringent and offer the highest level of trust. To obtain an EV certificate, organizations must undergo a rigorous validation process, which includes confirming their legal existence and the physical location of their business.

Automated certificate management is a game-changer for organizations due to several key benefits:

• Enhanced Security: Automation reduces the likelihood of human error, ensuring that websites and servers always have valid certificates. This constant validity minimizes disruptions and potential security breaches.

• Operational Efficiency: By automating the issuance and renewal of certificates, IT staff can redirect their focus toward other mission-critical tasks, reducing manual workloads and increasing productivity.

• Risk Reduction: Automation eliminates the risks associated with manual management, reducing the chances of certificate-related outages or security incidents.

• Scalability: Automated management scales seamlessly, enabling organizations to grow without the need for additional staff or resources.

• Adaptation to Changing Validity Periods: With automated systems, it becomes easier to adapt to changes in certificate validity periods, ensuring continued compliance and security in a rapidly evolving landscape.

TLS/SSL Certificates: These ensure secure data transmission over the internet by encrypting communication between a server and a browser, protecting sensitive information.

User Certificates: Used for secure authentication and identification of individual users, typically for login purposes.

Device or Machine Certificates: Authenticate and secure network-connected devices, ensuring they are genuine and allowed access to a network.

Document Signing Certificates: Validate the authenticity of digitally signed documents, assuring recipients that the document hasn’t been altered.

Code Signing Certificates: Verify the source and integrity of software, scripts, and code, helping users trust downloaded applications.

S/MIME Certificates: Encrypt and digitally sign email communications, safeguarding confidentiality and proving sender authenticity.

eIDAS Certificates: Ensure compliance with the European Union’s eIDAS regulation, providing secure electronic identification and trust services for online transactions and communication.

Sectigo is a prominent Certificate Authority (CA) with a rich history spanning over 20 years in the field of digital trust and online security. They specialize in providing a wide range of security solutions, including digital certificates, to help organizations establish and maintain a secure online presence. Sectigo is recognized for its expertise in digital certificate management and is a trusted partner for businesses seeking to protect their digital assets and ensure the authenticity and encryption of online transactions.

Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) is a protocol designed to automate the entire lifecycle of TLS and SSL certificates. ACME is particularly important as digital certificates are transitioning to shorter validity periods, such as the 90-day certificates introduced by Google. ACME clients enable organizations to request, install, and renew certificates without the need for human intervention, ensuring that certificates remain up-to-date and valid.
The need for ACME arises from the impracticality of manually managing certificates with such short lifespans. Manual management increases the risk of errors and consumes significant resources, making it challenging for organizations to scale their certificate management efforts. ACME not only enhances security but also allows organizations to adapt to the changing landscape of certificate validity periods, ensuring their online assets remain secure and compliant with evolving industry standards.

CAA, or Certificate Authority Authorization, is a mechanism that allows domain owners to specify in their DNS records which Certificate Authorities (CAs) are permitted to issue SSL certificates for a given domain. While it may seem like an authorization for an authorization, it essentially enables domain owners to control the issuance of public certificates, enhancing security and control. This extra layer of security is particularly beneficial for larger organizations that need to manage certificate issuance across multiple domains and ensure compliance with their internal policies. CAA, when used in conjunction with other security measures, contributes to the robust, trusted ecosystem that underpins the global public CA and PKI platforms.