SSL Certificates: What They Are, Why They're Important and How They Benefit Your Business

Online security is paramount as users come to rely on the Internet for many of their business and/or personal functions and activities. Numerous consumers now utilize the Internet for their online banking, shopping and other tasks that require them to send out personal information over the web. Businesses, too, often transmit confidential information as they become increasingly mobile and require remote access to their networks. In doing so, consumers and businesses alike need to be assured that the site(s) they are visiting are secure and their transmitted information is protected with an SSL Certificate.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate is a digital computer file that has two specific functions:

1. Authentication and Verification: The SSL Certificate has information about the authenticity of certain details regarding the identity of a person, business or website, which the certificate displays to site visitors when they click on the lock located on the top or bottom of the Internet Browser (depending which browser you are using).
2. Encryption: The SSL Certificate also enables encryption, which means that the information exchanged via the website cannot be intercepted or read by anyone other than the person for whom it is intended.

An SSL Certificate is most reliable when issued by a known Certificate Authority (CA). The CA has to follow very strict rules and policies about who may or may not receive a SSL Certificate. In other words, when a business has a valid SSL Certificate from a trusted CA, it implies a higher degree of trust.

Why is an SSL Certificate important?

An SSL Certificate is important because it provides a secure means of transmitting information. Some examples of its uses are:

• Securing communication between your website and your customer’s Internet browser.
  
• Securing internal communications on your Corporate Intranet.
  
• Securing email communications sent to and from your network (or private email address).
  
• Securing information between servers (both internal and external).
  
• Securing information sent and received via mobile devices.

Typically, a business would need an SSL Certificate if:

• You have an online store or accept online orders and credit cards
  
• You offer a login or sign-in function on your site.
  
• You process sensitive data such as addresses, birth dates, license numbers, ID numbers, etc.
  
• You need to comply with privacy and security requirements, such as the PCI security standards.
  
• You value privacy and want to ensure customers feel their personal information is safe when purchasing a product or receiving a service from your website.

A business should also obtain an SSL Certificate even if it does not perform online transactions in order to maintain secure internal and external network communications. For example, when accessing a web site via a service such as Outlook Web Access, confidential information including logon, password and private emails will be encrypted thus providing a more secure transmission. The SSL Certificate also removes warnings and error messages that may prove confusing or deter a user from accessing the site.

In fact, new Microsoft products such as Exchange Server 2007, Office Communications Server, etc. require a valid SSL certificate for internal access, as well as external services. Moreover, for the business on-the-go that requires mobile access, various SmartPhones will not sync with a server properly unless there is a valid public SSL certificate.

What are the benefits of an SSL Certificate?

Two key benefits of an SSL Certificate are consumer trust and confidence. Success on the internet depends on gaining the trust of online visitors/customers. When a Web site is secured with a SSL Certificate, you create a sense of confidence in your business and enhance the level of visitors’ trust by ensuring their private information is kept safe.

In addition, an SSL certificate benefits a business by guaranteeing its authenticity and removing any warnings that may arise when accessing services such as Outlook Web Access. The user is assured that they are on the right site and that their communications will be safe.

There are various types of SSL Certificates available on the market today. 3D has several options available for our clients and we can assist you in selecting the right one that meets your business needs.

For more information on SSL certificates or additional network security solutions that 3D can provide your business, please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call us at (360) 671-4906.

References: “Beginners Guide to Digital SSL Certificates”, VeriSign; “Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): How It Works”, VeriSign; Comodo Positive SSL