As cyber threats continue to rise, businesses must take the necessary measures to protect their online information and establish trust with their customers. One of the most essential steps in securing online transactions is selecting the correct SSL/TLS certificate type, which may require an extensive online search on important info like SSL vs TLS. However, choosing the right one can be daunting with so many available options. This article will guide you through selecting the proper SSL/TLS certificate for your business.
1. Know Your Requirements
Before choosing an SSL/TLS certificate, it’s crucial to understand the needs of your business. You need to determine the level of security you need, the number of domains and subdomains you want to secure, and the necessary level of validation.
A Domain Validated (DV) certificate may be best suited for your needs if you’re a small business owner with a limited budget and transactions. The DV certificate is the most basic SSL/TLS certificate and only validates that the applicant owns and controls the domain. However, for larger organizations with a higher transactional volume and more sensitive data, an Extended Validation (EV) certificate would be more appropriate.
2. Understand The Different Types Of SSL/TLS Certificates
SSL/TLS certificates come in three different types, Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). Each class represents an extra level of validation, security, and trustworthiness.
DV certificates only validate that the applicant owns and controls the domain. OV certificates offer higher validation by verifying the domain owner and the organization behind it. EV certificates are the highest level of assurance and require a thorough validation process of the organization’s identity, legal existence, and operational status.
3. Consider The Number of Domains and Subdomains
You must determine the number of SSL/TLS certificates required to own multiple domains and subdomains. You can purchase a separate certificate for each domain and subdomain or choose a Wildcard certificate that secures all subdomains under a single domain.
Wildcard certificates are cost-effective and convenient for companies with multiple subdomains. However, they offer only DV-level validation, which may not be sufficient for larger organizations.
4. Look for Compatibility with Your Web Server and Platform
Before selecting an SSL/TLS certificate, consider its compatibility with your web server and platform and compare SSL vs TLS. Certain SSL/TLS certificates are only compatible with specific web servers or platforms. Ensure that your selected certificate works seamlessly with your web server and application.
5. Check The Validation Level Offered by the Certificate
SSL/TLS certificates offer different validation levels, affecting your website’s trustworthiness. The story of validation can impact the conversion rate on an e-commerce website, as users are more likely to trust a website with higher assurance.
Therefore, if your website deals with sensitive data like credit card information or personal identification numbers (PINs), you must get an EV SSL/TLS certificate. An EV SSL/TLS certificate is the highest level of validation and displays the company name alongside the secure padlock icon in the browser.
6. Consider The Certificate Authority’s Reputation
Choosing a reputable Certificate Authority (CA) to issue your SSL/TLS certificate is crucial for establishing customer trust. A CA’s reputation is based on the level of security offered by its certificates, customer support, and validation process. Check the reviews of the Certificate Authority before making a purchase.
7. Plan for Renewals
SSL/TLS certificates are not perpetual and typically expire in one to three years. Therefore, when selecting an SSL/TLS certificate, you must consider the renewal process and cost.
Conclusion
Choosing the proper SSL/TLS certificate for your business is challenging, and enough info on ssl vs tls is necessary. Understanding the level of validation required, the number of domains and subdomains, platform compatibility, and the certificate authority’s reputation are crucial factors that must not be overlooked. Following the above guidelines, you can select the SSL/TLS certificate that suits your business needs, provides optimum security, and establishes customer trust.