GIUGNO 2025
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates – then and now
SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) certificates have long been a cornerstone of online security, protecting digital communications from prying eyes. Introduced in the 1990s, they were designed to encrypt the data exchanged between clients and servers, keeping it safe from interception or tampering. By creating a secure channel across networks, these certificates help verify the identity of servers – and sometimes even clients – thus providing essential protection for online activities.
Types of SSL/TLS certificates
here are several types of SSL/TLS certificates, each tailored to meet particular security needs. The three main categories are:
- Domain Validation (DV): these provide a basic level of protection by confirming that the applicant controls the server associated with the domain in question. They're typically used for personal websites and blogs.
- Organisation Validation (OV): this certificate involves a more in-depth check, confirming both domain ownership and the legitimacy of the organisation behind it. It's a solid choice for small to medium-sized online businesses.
- Extended Validation (EV): offering the most comprehensive verification, EV certificates confirm domain ownership, organisational identity, and the legal authority of the individual requesting the certificate. They're best suited to large businesses and high-profile e-commerce sites.
The Relevance of SSL/TLS certificates today
SSL/TLS certificates remain crucial to online privacy, encrypting the data exchanged between a user's browser and a server. This prevents unauthorised access to or tampering of sensitive information like login details and payment data. For users, the padlock icon isn’t just symbolic – it signals a secure connection. For businesses, that signal helps build trust while protecting them from reputational damage, legal fallout and financial loss, as well as reducing the risk of data breaches.
Modern certificates rely on strong encryption algorithms such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman), which help ensure data remains unreadable to anyone attempting to intercept it.
Regulations like DORA and NIS2 now require higher security standards across the board, making SSL/TLS certificates a core part of compliance for organisations handling digital communications. These standards not only protect data but also reinforce trust in online services.
A key piece of this regulatory puzzle is the use of QWACs (Qualified Website Authentication Certificates), as outlined in the EU’s eIDAS regulation. Unlike standard certificates, QWACs don’t just encrypt connections – they also verify the identity of the website operator. That added layer of authenticity gives users assurance that they're dealing with a legitimate, regulated business.
By adopting these certificates and protocols, companies can better defend against cyber threats, protect customer data, stay compliant with regulations and foster lasting trust in their online platforms.
The debate between browsers and Certificate Authorities on certificate lifespans
n recent years, browsers and Certificate Authorities (CAs) have clashed over how long SSL/TLS certificates should remain valid. The dispute came to a head in September 2020, when major browsers enforced a policy limiting certificate lifespans to just one year. The change aimed to keep encryption practices up to date and reduce the risk that compromised keys could go unnoticed for too long. CAs pushed back, arguing that more frequent renewals add extra work for businesses – especially those managing large numbers of certificates. Still, despite the tension, most agree that shorter lifespans promote better habits around certificate management.
The role of automation protocols and lifecycle management platforms
With shorter certificate lifespans now the norm, automation has become essential. Protocols like ACME (Automatic Certificate Management Environment) simplify the process by handling renewals automatically, cutting down on manual work and reducing the chance of human error. To manage certificates at scale, many organisations rely on centralised platforms – such as Enterprise Registration Authorities (RAs) – that provide oversight of certificate lifecycles, key management and security settings. These tools help enforce internal security policies and keep everything running smoothly.
SSL/TLS certificates have been a core part of internet security for decades, and their role is only growing as cybersecurity evolves and threats become more complex. By automating renewals and using lifecycle management tools, businesses can stay ahead of risks, protect their communications and build long-lasting trust with their users.
Dalla loro nascita, i certificati SSL/TLS hanno svolto un ruolo fondamentale nella protezione delle comunicazioni online. Mentre il panorama della sicurezza informatica continua ad evolversi, l'importanza di questi certificati cresce proporzionalmente con essa. Attraverso l'implementazione di tecniche di gestione adeguate, comprese automazioni e strategie di rinnovo, le organizzazioni possono garantire la sicurezza delle loro comunicazioni e costruire una fiducia duratura con i loro utenti.