SSL/TLS certificates are used to secure online communication by establishing an encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. The SSL/TLS protocol is commonly used to secure online transactions, such as online banking, e-commerce, and other sensitive data transfers.
There are different types of SSL/TLS certificates, and they differ in terms of the level of validation required to obtain the certificate, the number of domains and subdomains that can be secured, and the level of encryption offered by the certificate.
Types of SSL/TLS Certificates
The most common types of SSL/TLS certificates are:
- Domain Validated (DV) SSL/TLS Certificate: This type of certificate is the easiest and quickest to obtain, and it only requires the certificate authority to validate that the applicant owns the domain name for which the certificate is being issued. DV certificates offer basic encryption and are suitable for websites that don't handle sensitive data.
- Organization Validated (OV) SSL/TLS Certificate: This type of certificate requires the certificate authority to validate that the applicant is a legitimate business or organization and that they have the right to use the domain name for which the certificate is being issued. OV certificates offer stronger encryption than DV certificates and are suitable for websites that handle sensitive data, such as customer information.
- Extended Validation (EV) SSL/TLS Certificate: This type of certificate requires the highest level of validation, and the certificate authority must validate the legal identity and business operations of the applicant. EV certificates offer the strongest encryption and display a green address bar in the web browser, which provides the highest level of trust and security for online users.
- Wildcard SSL/TLS Certificate: This type of certificate is used to secure multiple subdomains under a single domain name. For example, a wildcard certificate for "*.example.com" can be used to secure "mail.example.com", "blog.example.com", and any other subdomain under "example.com". Wildcard certificates are available for DV, OV, and EV validation levels.
- Multi-Domain SSL/TLS Certificate: This type of certificate is used to secure multiple domain names and subdomains under a single certificate. For example, a multi-domain certificate can secure "example.com", "example.net", and "blog.example.com". Multi-domain certificates offered by emSign are available for DV, OV, and EV validation levels.
It is important to know that different types of SSL/TLS certificates offer varying levels of validation and encryption, and the appropriate certificate for a website depends on the nature of the website and the level of security required.
While it is not complicated to buy an SSL/TLS certificate online but for organizations looking to deploy SSL/TLS trust certificates at scale, it is critical to know more about all the global compliance and accreditations required on technology standards and the SSL/TLS products itself before all major browsers start trusting the certificates issued by the CA – emSign in this case.
- WebTrust: The WebTrust certification is a global standard for website security that ensures that SSL/TLS certificates are issued in compliance with industry standards and regulations. It is issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).
- CA/Browser Forum: The CA/Browser Forum is a voluntary organization of certificate authorities and browser vendors that establishes guidelines for the issuance and management of SSL/TLS certificates. To be a member of the forum, a certificate authority must meet certain requirements and comply with the forum's Baseline Requirements.
- ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is a globally recognized standard for information security management. Obtaining this certification demonstrates that the certificate authority has implemented a comprehensive information security management system to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information.
- ETSI: The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) provides a range of standards and regulations for telecommunications and digital services, including SSL/TLS certificates. Compliance with ETSI standards is necessary for companies operating in the European Union.
- PCI DSS: If the certificate authority is involved in the payment card industry, it must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). This certification ensures that the certificate authority has implemented the necessary security measures to protect sensitive payment card information.
These global certifications are required before offering SSL/TLS certificates through their own global roots. The exact requirements may vary depending on the country and industry in which the certificate authority operates.
Why do organizations consuming certificates in volume need a seamless discovery platform or Certificate Management System?
An SSL/TLS certificate discovery platform for organizations is a tool or service that helps organizations discover, track, and manage their SSL/TLS certificates. As organizations grow and their online presence expands, it can become challenging to keep track of all the SSL/TLS certificates that are in use across their various domains, subdomains, and applications. A certificate discovery platform can automate the process of identifying all SSL/TLS certificates in use, including those that may have been forgotten or overlooked.
emSign’s CLM platform scans the organization's network and domain names to identify all SSL/TLS certificates in use and provides details about the certificate, such as its expiration date, issuing authority, and other relevant information. This information is critical for ensuring that certificates are renewed and replaced as needed to maintain secure connections, avoid downtime, and protect against security threats such as man-in-the-middle attacks.
Overall, an SSL/TLS certificate discovery platform is a valuable tool for any organization that wants to maintain a secure online presence and manage its SSL/TLS certificates effectively.
Entities selling SSL/TLS certificates globally work on reseller models to expand reach throughout the globe, across varied geographies. For such entities, it is very important to have a tight-knit reseller portal. An SSL/TLS certificate reseller portal is a platform that allows individuals or organizations to sell SSL/TLS certificates to customers.
The features of a reseller portal may vary depending on the provider. Features offered by emSign include:
- Certificate management: The portal allows the reseller to manage their SSL/TLS certificate inventory, including ordering, renewing, revoking, and tracking certificates.
- Branding: The reseller is enabled to customize the portal with own branding, logo, and colors.
- Pricing and discounts: The reseller can set their own prices and discounts for SSL/TLS certificates.
- Payment and billing: The portal supports various payment methods and allows the reseller to manage their billing and invoicing.
- Customer management: The portal allows the reseller to manage their customers, including creating and managing accounts, issuing certificates, and providing support.
- API integration: The portal provides an API for integration with the reseller's website or other systems.
- White-labeling: The portal allows the reseller to offer SSL/TLS certificates under their own brand name and logo.
- Reporting and analytics: The portal provides reports and analytics on sales, inventory, and other metrics.
- Support: The reseller has access to technical support from emSign, as well as documentation and resources for managing their reseller business.
In conclusion, the SSL/TLS certificate reseller portal should be easy to use, and reliable, and offer the reseller a variety of tools and features to manage their business and offer SSL/TLS certificates to their customers.
While the importance of SSL/TLS certificates is rarely noticed by the end user, it is important to note that behind all secure communication over the network (both public and private), SSL/TLS certificates that shield protecting user identity and data against cyber-attacks.
If you are a retail user, a large organization in need of SSL/TLS certificates at scale and a discovery platform to manage all your certificates in one place, or a regional player interested in starting your own SSL/TLS business by reselling emSign certificates, visit www.emsign.com to find the exact product or solution you are looking for.