The Benefits & Limitations of SSL Certificates

Today, secure browsing is non-negotiable and SSL certificates play a crucial role in ensuring the same. However, SSL has advantages and disadvantages that organizations should be aware of. With this knowledge, it is possible to capitalize on the benefits of SSL certificates while being cognizant of the disadvantages of SSL.

In this article, we explore SSL advantages and disadvantages to help you strengthen SSL security.

SSL Advantages and Disadvantages: A Deep Dive

Advantages of SSL

Strengthening Data Security

One of the key benefits of SSL certificates for websites is that they help strengthen data security. Powered by cryptography, they secure connections between the browser and server while protecting the data in transmission. The level of encryption of data is so high and complex that even if a data breach occurs, the attacker will not be able to fully decrypt and understand data in its entirety.

Without SSL certificates, all data being transferred to and from the website are open for the general public to intercept and view. This would include sensitive information such as financial information, username and password, credit card numbers, social security numbers, and so on. Do you think attackers would let go of such an opportunity? Regardless of whether it is a static website, blog, dynamic application, or an e-commerce website, installing SSL certificates is immensely beneficial.

Authentication and Affirmation of Identity

Data that is on the internet gets passed across various entities with a high chance of landing in the hands of attackers or other unintended third parties. Another crucial advantage of SSL is that it authenticates and affirms the identity of the parties involved.

Extended Validation (EV) and Organizational Validity (OV) SSL certificates conduct a thorough background check of the website ownership and affirm the user of the website’s identity. Through the public and private key system, it ensures that only legitimate users gain access to data.

PCI Compliance

PCI-DSS mandates that all websites accepting payments must install SSL certificates encrypted with protocols TLS 1.2 or beyond. If your website accepts payments, then installation of SSL ensures you are PCI compliant.

Prevent a Range of Attacks

Another important benefit of SSL certificates is that it helps secure websites and users from a range of attacks. It helps prevent eavesdropping, impersonation, data theft, identity theft and Man-in-the-middle attacks as it encrypts all data in transit.

It reduces the risk of phishing attacks. It is very rare that fraudulent/ scam websites created by attackers get an OV or EV SSL certificate. Even if hackers are successful in creating phishing websites that look and feel like a legitimate website, they will not have the visible signs of SSL protection – the organization name, etc.

Crucial for Search Engine Rankings

Search engine algorithms consider website security and the presence of SSL an important metric in search engine rankings.  They visibly support and endorse websites that take security seriously. By installing the right SSL from the right certificate authority (CA), you can boost your search rankings.

Increase Customer Trust

The padlock on the address bar, the presence of HTTPS and other visible signs are provided to a website whose communications are protected with an SSL certificate. This goes a long way in telling the user that they are engaging with a legitimate identity and that it is safe to provide sensitive information to the website. On the other hand, if the website displays a warning message either full page or on the address bar, the user will not trust the website and immediately bounce.

Disadvantages of SSL

Cost

While free SSL certificates are available, they do not extend the level of security and encryption necessary. You must choose a CA who has the infrastructure, expertise, and reputation to provide the highest levels of protection while keeping up with the industry best practices and rigors of compliance. This comes at a cost. If you have multiple domains and sub-domains, then your costs increase.

Expiry

SSL certificates have an expiry date that needs to be monitored and the certificate renewed for continued security. The process of monitoring and renewal can be more complex in the absence of visibility. To address this disadvantage of SSL, reputed providers like Entrust from Indusface offer state-of-the-art Certificate Management Systems (CMS) to manage SSL effortlessly and effectively with a cohesive dashboard, full visibility, and real-time insights.

SSL Related Vulnerabilities

While there are powerful benefits of SSL for the website, they are not without vulnerabilities. The older SSL/ TLS protocols such as TLS 1.0 or TLS 1.1 have a range of vulnerabilities such as POODLE, BEAST, Heartbleed, CRIME, and so on. Websites with certificates using these older protocols are marked as insecure by browsers.

The Bottomline

While the discussion on SSL advantages and disadvantages is an important one, the benefits of SSL far outweigh its disadvantages.

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