90-Day SSL Certificates: What’s Changing and How to Stay Ahead

One of the latest developments in cybersecurity is the shift towards 90-day SSL/TLS certificates, led by tech giants like Google. Understanding why this shift is happening and how it affects your business is key to staying secure in this rapidly changing environment.

Why are SSL certificates moving to 90 days?

Google’s latest proposal to implement 90-day SSL certificates is a move aimed at tightening security even further. This shift aligns with their broader strategy, which also includes recent measures like distrusting certain SSL providers, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing digital security standards.

But why is this happening?

The main reason is security. Shorter certificate lifespans mean more frequent renewals, minimising the time a potentially compromised certificate remains active. This proactive approach ensures that any vulnerability is resolved more quickly, reducing the risk window for attackers.

Additionally, shorter certificates encourage organisations to adopt automated certificate management systems, which reduce manual errors that could lead to security breaches.

How will 90-day SSL certificates affect your business?

With certificates lasting only 90 days, businesses will need to manage SSL renewals four times a year instead of just once. This poses several operational challenges:

• Increased operational demands: If your business manages multiple certificates, especially across different domains or subdomains, the shorter validity period increases the complexity of manual tracking and renewal processes.

• Greater reliance on automation: To keep up with frequent renewals, your business will need to adopt automated solutions like ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment). These systems streamline certificate management, minimise the risk of human error, and ensure renewals happen on time, preventing costly outages.

How can you prepare for the transition?

Adapting to the shorter 90-day certificate validity period will require businesses to optimize their SSL management strategies. Here are some steps to ensure a smooth transition:

1. Invest in Automated Certificate Management Systems: Implement automated systems that support protocols like ACME to minimise the risk of expired certificates and ensure continuous security compliance.

2. Audit your certificate inventory: Conduct a thorough audit of your existing certificates to identify which need transitioning. It will help streamline the process and ensure that all certificates align with the new 90-day validity period.

3. Enhance team training: Educate your IT team on best practices for using automated management tools and protocols. Familiarity with these systems will be crucial to maintaining smooth operations and avoiding disruptions during the transition.

What are the benefits of 90-day SSL certificates?

While the shorter certificate lifespan may seem like a burden, it comes with several advantages.

• Enhanced security: With more frequent renewals, businesses can respond faster to emerging threats and ensure that their encryption methods remain up-to-date. In the event of a compromised certificate, the reduced validity period minimises the damage window, improving overall security.

• Improved compliance: Frequent certificate renewals help organisations stay compliant with evolving security regulations, such as PCI DSS and GDPR, which require robust encryption standards.

• Increased flexibility and future-readiness: With shorter certificate lifespans, businesses can stay more flexible, quickly adapting to new security standards and technologies, including the upcoming shift to encryption methods that protect against future threats like quantum computing.

For businesses uncertain about the right type of certificate for their needs, exploring the options available can help align with these new standards while enhancing security and compliance.

What’s next? The future of SSL Certificates

The move towards 90-day certificates is just the beginning. Apple has proposed further reducing SSL/TLS certificate lifespans to 45 days by 2027. This initiative, following Google’s lead, aims to enhance digital security by minimising the timeframe in which certificates can be compromised.

This shift highlights an industry-wide trend towards automation and increased crypto agility, preparing businesses for evolving challenges.

Are you ready for the change?

While the shift to 90-day SSL brings operational challenges, it also presents an opportunity for businesses to enhance their security posture, adopt best practices, and future-proof their infrastructure.

By investing in automated CLM systems and training IT staff, businesses can not only adapt but thrive in this new security landscape.

Now is the time to assess your certificate management strategy and ensure your organization is prepared for a more secure, agile, and automated future.