What is the purpose of SSL certificate? |
Posted: June 29, 2020 |
With the right tools, it is possible to achieve cloud security that allows businesses to safely transmit and store sensitive data. Encryption is one the basic tenets of cloud security and it is supported by SSL security certificates. Employing these security practices not only adds credibility and security, it also contributes to SEO efforts that will help you generate more business. Keep reading to learn more about security certificates and how they work. History of Security CertificatesSecurity certificates or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates were first introduced in 1994 as a tool to help send encrypted data. If a website is protected by an SSL certificate, the address will begin with https://. Initially, security certificates were mainly used by websites that transmitted sensitive data, but this changed in 2014 when Google announced that it would be rewarding websites with an SSL certificate. This meant that less secure sites wouldn’t be receiving optimal search engine rankings, which prompted websites to add this layer of security. In 2017, Google took measures a step further by including a “Not Secure” message in the browser address bar and the message has been made a permanent fixture for all websites that don’t use an SSL certificate. How Does an SSL Work?SSL certificates use both a private and public key for asymmetric encryption that prevents third parties and malicious actors from viewing sensitive information. To generate a certificate, you must obtain a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from your server. A Certificate Authority (CA) will issue the SSL certificate once your business and other information has been verified.When the SSL has been added to the website, the browser will be able to ask the website to identify itself. The server will then send the file with a copy of the SSL Certificate and check to make sure that it has been issued by a trusted CA and hasn’t expired. If everything checks out, the server and browser will use the keys to encrypt and decrypt the data. For the user, all this happens in a matter of seconds and provides a secure way to make payments and share other personal data. Why You Need an SSL CertificateIf you are an ecommerce business that takes online payments, a health organization that stores patient data or even a non-profit that doesn’t handle any sensitive data, you need an SSL certificate. This security tool represents a new standard in cloud security and plays an important role in your business. Here are just three of the reasons you need an SSL certificate:
Cloud security can feel a bit overwhelming if you aren’t familiar with available tools and protocols. However, there are clear steps you can take to provide better security and safely take advantage of cloud technology. SSL certificates are just one simple tool that go a long way in protecting user information and building a better business. To learn more about cloud security, contact the experts at prancer.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|