What is the SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration?

SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration refers to the end of the validity period of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate. SSL/TLS certificates are digital certificates that provide a secure and encrypted connection between a user’s web browser and a website. They play a very important role in ensuring data confidentiality and integrity while browsing the Internet.

SSL/TLS certificates have a finite lifespan, typically ranging from a few months to a few years. Once a certificate reaches its expiration date, it is no longer considered valid. The expiration date is an essential aspect of certificate management for security reasons.

The reasons behind SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration

Why not use an ever-lasting certificate? Well, the answer is simple: SSL/TLS certificate expiration is a security rule designed to ensure the ongoing trust of online communications. Keeping this in mind, let’s make a list of the main reasons behind the SSL/TLS certificate expiration:

Security assurance: SSL/TLS certificates use cryptographic keys to secure data transmission between a user’s browser and a website’s server. Over time, advances in computing and new vulnerabilities may weaken the effectiveness of older cryptographic algorithms. Requiring certificate renewal ensures that websites adopt the latest, more secure encryption standards.
Key refresh: SSL/TLS certificates contain cryptographic keys, and these keys have a finite lifespan due to mathematical principles. Regularly updating or refreshing these keys by certificate renewal helps maintain the security of the encrypted communications.
Certificate holder verification: SSL/TLS certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs), also called SSL/TLS certificate issuers, after verifying the identity of the certificate holder. Over time, changes in ownership or control of a domain or organization may occur, so a certificate expiration prompts a re-verification process, ensuring that the current certificate holder is still legitimate.
Mitigating compromise: if a private key associated with an SSL/TLS certificate is compromised, an attacker could decrypt secure communications. Certificate expiration acts as a safeguard by limiting the time during which a compromised certificate can be exploited. Regular renewal minimizes the window of vulnerability.
Regulatory compliance: various industry standards and regulations mandate the use of SSL/TLS certificates and may specify requirements for their expiration and renewal. Adhering to these regulations is crucial for organizations to maintain compliance.

Test your SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration

If you want to know the exact date of the SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration, let’s see 3 ways to do it.

Perhaps the easiest way to check this is by using our free tool, please follow these steps:

Start by accessing our webserver security test.
Now input your domain in the scan box.
Make sure to tick the two boxes below, named ‘Clear cache’ and ‘Follow redirects’.
Click the Scan button.
Wait 1-2 minutes for the scan to complete.
Scroll down to the section named ‘SSL/TLS Analysis’, and look for your ‘SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration’ test results: if you get a ‘Failed’ in red then current settings are not good, getting a ‘Passed’ in green is what you aim for.

Another method is to visit the website for which you want to check the SSL/TLS certificate and click on the icon on the left side of the address bar, it’s usually a lock or a tune icon in the case of Google Chrome. This opens a small window with the connection’s details, including a Security option, which lets you check the certificate details, and that’s where you will find the expiration date.

Last but not least, you can use your browser’s developer tools to check your SSL/TLS certificate expiration: right-click on the webpage and select “Inspect” to open the browser’s developer tools. Navigate to the “Security” tab and click on View Certificate to check the expiration date.

Consequences of the SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration

The expiration of an SSL/TLS certificate can have pretty bad consequences, potentially impacting the security, trustworthiness, and functionality of a website. Here are some of the worst consequences:

Data vulnerability: an expired SSL/TLS certificate may expose sensitive data transmitted between users and the website to potential eavesdroppers or unauthorized access.
Loss of encryption: without a valid certificate, the encryption of data in transit becomes ineffective, making it easier for bad guys to intercept and decipher the information.
Browser warnings: web browsers display warning messages to users when they encounter websites with expired SSL/TLS certificates. These warnings can discourage visitors and weaken the trust in the site’s security.
User perception: visitors may perceive a website with an expired certificate as untrustworthy, leading to a negative impact on the site’s reputation.
Service interruptions: some web browsers and apps may block access to websites with expired certificates, leading to potential service disruptions for users.
API and integration failures: systems relying on secure connections, such as APIs and third-party integrations, may experience failures if the SSL/TLS certificate is expired.
Legal consequences: depending on the industry, regulatory requirements may mandate the use of SSL/TLS certificates. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in legal consequences or penalties.
Urgent renewal tasks: renewing an expired certificate often requires immediate attention and can cause additional workload for IT and security teams.
E-commerce impact: for e-commerce websites, an expired SSL/TLS certificate can lead to a loss of customer trust, transaction abandonment, and ultimately, revenue loss.
Customer loss: users may seek alternative websites if they perceive the expired certificate as a sign of neglect or inadequate security measures.
Search engine penalties: search engines may penalize websites with expired SSL/TLS certificates, leading to a decline in search rankings and visibility.

In 2023, 82,9% of websites used an SSL/TLS certificate. Now, imagine if all of those certificates expire and aren’t renewed on time. It would be chaotic.

Common challenges during an SSL/TLS certificate renewal

The certificate renewal is a key part of maintaining a secure website, but it can come with its set of challenges, and it’s important to know them to avoid the SSL/TLS certificate expiration.

Expiration awareness: some organizations may have a hard time keeping track of certificate expiration dates, leading to oversights and potential issues in security. It’s important to implement good certificate management practices, including automated reminders.
Certificate chain issues: renewing a certificate may involve updating the entire certificate chain, including intermediate and root certificates. Misconfigurations in the chain can lead to trust issues, so organizations have to ensure that the renewed certificate chain is correctly configured and compatible with major browsers.
Change in validation requirements: changes in domain ownership or organizational details may require revalidation during certificate renewal, leading to delays. We suggest renewing certificates at least a week before expiration.
Vendor-specific challenges: different certificate vendors may have unique renewal processes and requirements, leading to confusion or complications. Try to familiarize yourself with the specific renewal processes of the chosen certificate vendor and follow their guidelines.
Testing: conduct exhaustive tests to ensure that the renewed certificate works seamlessly with all components of the website or app.

SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration alerts

It’s important to avoid reaching the date of the SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration, but those dates are not easy to remember, so it’s a good practice to have a notifications system in place to be warned of coming expiration dates. These alerts are essential to renew the certificate before expiration, helping organizations and sysadmins to stay ahead of potential issues and ensure the protection of sensitive data. The alerts serve as early warning systems, notifying the people in charge about the coming expiration of SSL/TLS certificates.

These SSL/TLS certificate expiration alerts are typically automated notifications generated by monitoring systems or certificate management tools, and they are usually issued well before the actual expiration date, allowing administrators sufficient time to plan and execute the renewal process. The alerts can be delivered through many communication channels, such as email, SMS, or system notifications.

The SSL/TLS certificate expiration notifications typically include detailed information about the expiring certificate, such as the domain name, expiration date, and often a link to initiate the renewal process.

SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration FAQ

Let’s answer some of the most common questions regarding the expiration of SSL/TLS certificates.

Why is the SSL/TLS certificate expiration important?
SSL/TLS certificates ensure secure data transmission. Make sure to renew them on time to keep your website safe.

How can I check my certificate’s expiration date?
Visit your website, click the lock/tone icon, and view certificate details. Alternatively, use online tools or browser tools.

What happens if my certificate expires?
Expired certificates make data vulnerable, trigger browser warnings, and may disrupt services.

How can I receive expiration alerts?
Implement automated notification systems or use online tools to receive alerts before expiration.

Are there consequences for ignoring certificate expiration?
Yes, including compromised security, trust issues, and even legal consequences in some cases.

Summary

SSL/TLS certificates are extremely beneficial for the Internet, encrypting data during transmission between browsers and websites. However, the trust they provide can be jeopardized by the SSL/TLS Certificate Expiration. This expiration plays a key role in security because it prompts renewal to adopt better encryption standards, refresh cryptographic keys, and verify certificate holders. Knowing the expiration date is very important, and we can achieve this through online tools or browser inspection.

Do not ignore expirations: doing this risks data vulnerability, trust weakening, and even legal consequences. It’s key to pass all the challenges in renewal processes, and organizations must also have automated expiration alerts so the certificates can be renewed on time.