What is an SSL Certificate Issuer?

The internet is a great place but there are a lot of bad guys out there so securing sensitive data is super important. SSL/TLS certificates play a big role in securing online communication. But who exactly gives these certificates the thumbs up? Enter SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers: these are the ones who verify and validate the digital certificates.

But what are these entities exactly? Well in this article we will break it down, we will look at the role of SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers, we will understand the importance and we will unravel the process of SSL/TLS certificate issuance.

An SSL/TLS Certificate Issuer is a company that acts as a third party who verifies the identity of the certificate holder, that they are who they say they are. This involves a validation process where the issuer confirms the domain ownership and organizational details of the certificate applicant.

These issuers are big players in maintaining the integrity of secure online interactions. When a website has an SSL/TLS certificate issued by a trusted authority it tells its visitors that robust encryption is being used which helps to build trust in data transmission.

But there’s more: SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers offer different types of certificates which are suited for different security needs. This includes domain validated (DV) certificates for basic encryption, organization validated (OV) certificates for enhanced validation and extended validation (EV) certificates that goes through rigorous validation process and provides the highest level of assurance.

Choosing a reliable SSL/TLS Certificate Issuer is key to the effectiveness of the certificate. Trusted issuers follow industry standards, have strict validation process and contribute to a more secure online world for everyone.

What is an SSL Certificate

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that verifies a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. This digital certificate is the foundation of online security, it secures sensitive information such as credit card numbers and personal data from unauthorized access. SSL certificates are issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), a trusted entity that verifies the website’s legitimacy. The certificate contains information about the website’s identity including domain name, organization name and location which helps to establish trust between the website and its visitors.

Why SSL Certificates are important for Online Security

SSL certificates are big players in online security and trust. They ensure that data transmitted between a website and its users is confidential and tamper proof. Without an SSL certificate a website may show a “not secure” warning in the address bar which can scare away users from visiting the site. This warning tells users that their data is at risk which can lead to loss of trust and potential business. Moreover search engines like Google gives priority to websites with SSL certificates in their search results so it’s essential for businesses to get an SSL certificate to maintain their online presence and improve their search engine rankings.

The role of a certificate authority in SSL/TLS

The role of an SSL/TLS Certificate Issuer goes beyond issuing certificates. These entities are big players in the complex process of encryption and authentication that makes online communication safer.

SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers are the ones who verify the identity of individuals, businesses or organizations applying for certificates. Through a process they confirm domain ownership and organizational details to ensure that the entity requesting the certificate is legitimate. Once that is done they issue digital credentials in the form of SSL/TLS certificates. These certificates contains cryptographic keys and a server certificate that enables secure communication by encrypting data exchanged between a user’s browser and a website’s server.

By following industry standards and having strict validation process, SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers contribute a lot to the trust in online interactions between sites and users. Websites with certificates from trusted issuers tells users that their data is transmitted through a secure and trusted channel.

They also manage the entire lifecycle of certificates from issuance to renewal and revocation. This ensures that certificates are up to date and minimizes the risk of outdated or compromised certificates.

SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers also adapt to emerging threats. They refine their validation process and security measures to stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities and contribute to the improvement of online security standards.

How SSL Certificates Work

SSL certificates work by establishing a secure connection between a web server and a web browser. When a user visits a website, the browser requests the website’s SSL certificate which is then verified by the Certificate Authority (CA). If the certificate is valid the browser and server establishes a secure connection through a process called SSL handshake. During this handshake data is encrypted using a public key and the corresponding private key is used to decrypt the data. This ensures that only authorized parties can access the information and provides a secure and private communication channel between the user and the website.

Types of SSL/TLS certificate issuers for domain validated certificates

SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers comes in a couple of well defined forms: public certificate authorities (public CAs) and private certificate authorities (private CAs). Each has distinct characteristics and roles in the Internet and understanding that is essential in choosing the right issuer for specific security needs.

Public Certificate Authorities: these are established entities that issues SSL/TLS certificates to the general public and organizations. They operate under strict guidelines and follow industry standards to ensure the integrity and security of their certificate issuance process. Public CAs issues various types of certificates including domain validated certificates (DV SSL) which offers minimal assurance and encryption due to their simple validation process. These certificates are used for blogs and informational websites that doesn’t require data collection or online payments, hence affordable and fast to issue. Public CAs are widely trusted and recognized so it’s a popular choice for getting SSL/TLS certificates.

Private Certificate Authorities: unlike public CAs, private CAs are operated by individual organizations for internal use. They issues SSL/TLS certificates only to entities within the organization’s network, provides a customized solution for internal security needs. Private CAs has more control over certificate management and can enforce specific security policies unique to the organization.

Self-signed certificates: while this isn’t an issuer type, is still worth mentioning. Sometimes organizations may opt to generate their SSL/TLS certificates without involving a third-party issuer. These self-signed certificates are signed by the entity itself, bypassing the traditional certificate issuance process. While self-signed certificates eliminates the need for external validation, it lacks the trust associated with certificates issued by recognized CAs, so not suitable for public facing websites. It’s recommended only for testing purposes.

How SSL/TLS certificates are issued and the private key

The process of issuing SSL/TLS certificates is a rigorous process that ensures the authenticity and security of online communication. Understanding the steps behind certificate issuance gives you a big picture of the security mechanisms involved in secure Internet transactions.

The process starts with a certificate request initiated by the entity (individual, company or organization) who wants to secure their website. This involves generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), a file that contains the entity’s public key and other information like organization name, country, email address and more.

So the company or organization submits the CSR to a chosen Certificate Authority (CA) for validation. The CA will verify the information in the CSR and ensure the entity has control over the domain for which the certificate is requested.

Now the CA will perform a validation process to confirm the certificate request. The level of validation depends on the type of certificate requested. For Domain-Validated (DV) certificates, validation usually involves confirming domain ownership. Organization-Validated (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) certificates requires additional verification of organizational details. EV SSL certificates requires a more rigorous validation process that includes verifying business name, address and location. These certificates displays the business name in the SSL info window and provides the largest monetary warranties, perfect for e-commerce sites. DV certificates are issued in a few minutes, OV certificates and EV certificates takes a few days.

If validation is successful, the CA issues the SSL/TLS certificate. The certificate contains the entity’s public key, organization information, CA’s digital signature and certificate expiration date.

Finally the organization or company installs the issued certificate to their web server. This is not part of the issuance process which is already done once the validation is successful.

SSL/TLS certificate issuers

Choosing a reputable SSL/TLS certificate issuer is important to secure online transactions. Here are some popular SSL/TLS certificate authorities:

Let’s Encrypt (below): a non-profit certificate authority that has gained popularity for its mission to make HTTPS encryption for everyone. They offer free SSL/TLS certificates, perfect for website owners looking for a budget friendly solution. Currently has 12,6% market share.
DigiCert: a global leading provider of SSL/TLS certificates, known for its security and innovation. They offer various certificates including extended validation (EV) certificates and trusted by many businesses and organizations. GeoTrust and Thawte are part of DigiCert.
Sectigo (formerly Comodo): a well established certificate authority that offers a full range of security solutions including SSL/TLS certificates. They cater to businesses of all sizes and have various certificate options for different security needs.
GlobalSign: a well known certificate authority that offers various SSL/TLS certificates. They focus on providing scalable security solutions for enterprises with options like domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV) and extended validation (EV) certificates.

Choosing the right SSL/TLS certificate issuer for extended validation

Choosing the right SSL/TLS certificate issuer is a big decision that affects the security and trust of your website. With many options available, it can be overwhelming, so let’s see some key points to consider when choosing the right SSL/TLS certificate issuer. When looking for the best SSL certificate services, consider the following:

Define your security needs: think about your specific security requirements. What level of validation do you need, Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV) or Extended Validation (EV)? What type of website or app are you securing and what kind of data involved. Most websites uses DV certificates but big companies uses OV and EV certificates.
Reputation and trust: look for SSL/TLS certificate issuers with good reputation and trust. Look for well known and established authorities with a history of reliability. Check reviews, testimonials and industry rankings. The list above is a good starting point.
Browser compatibility: make sure the SSL/TLS certificates offered by the issuer is well recognized and compatible with major web browsers. Incompatibility can cause security warnings to users and will negatively impact the trust of your website.
Certificate types and features: different issuers offer different types of certificates with different features. Know the range of certificates they offer including wildcard certificates, multi-domain certificates and those with extended validation. Choose an issuer that offers the type of certificate that suits your needs.
Validation process: learn about the validation process used by the issuer. A good SSL/TLS certificate authority conduct strict verification to ensure the legitimacy of certificate applicants.
Customer support and services: consider the quality of customer support and additional services offered by the issuer. Fast support is important during certificate issuance, installation and renewal process. Evaluate how fast they respond and the availability of documentation, resources or tools.
Cost and value: compare the pricing of different SSL/TLS certificate issuers. While cost is a factor, consider the overall value. Some issuers may offer additional features, warranty coverage or other services that makes their offer more attractive.
Renewal: check the renewal process of the certificate. A seamless renewal will give you continuous security and less headaches.
Industry compliance and standards: make sure the SSL/TLS certificate issuer complies with industry standards and regulations. Complying with modern SSL/TLS protocol and other industry guidelines will give more trust to the certificates issued by the authority.

SSL Certificate Management

SSL certificate management is the process of getting, installing and maintaining SSL certificates for a website. This includes choosing the right type of SSL certificate, Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV) or Extended Validation (EV) and making sure the certificate is properly installed on the web server. It also involves monitoring the certificate expiration date and renewing it before it expires to prevent any disruption to the website’s security. SSL certificate management also involves making sure the certificate is properly configured and any issues or errors are fixed. Proper management of SSL certificates is important for the security and trust of a website.

Find the SSL/TLS Certificate Issuer

If you want to know the issuer of your site’s SSL or even the SSL of another site, just follow these steps:

Go to our web security scanner
Input the domain in the scan box.
Tick the two boxes below (‘Clear cache’ and ‘Follow redirects’).
Wait 20-30 seconds for the scan to finish.
Now scroll down to the ‘SSL/TLS Analysis’ section and check the ‘SSL/TLS Certificate Issuer’ result: it will show you the issuer of your certificate, if your certificate is expired or invalid you will get ‘Error getting data’.

Summary

It’s obvious that SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers are the backbone of the Internet, they verify entities and secure data transmission between users and websites through transport layer security.

Well known names like Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert and Sectigo leads the industry, they offer different type of certificates and choosing the right issuer means careful consideration of security needs, reputation, browser compatibility and validation process. But don’t forget that the role of SSL/TLS Certificate Issuers goes beyond issuance, it involves lifecycle management and adapt to new threats.