What Is a Server Certificate? SSL/TLS Explained

Server security is a constant battle in today’s digitally driven environment. The server certificate, a digital document that verifies the identification of a website or server, is fundamental to internet communication security. Server certificates enable encrypted connections, guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of data transferred between users and servers.

Understanding the importance of server certificates is monumental for organizations and individuals since they are the cornerstone of trust in online interactions. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of server certificates, explaining their importance in cybersecurity and why they are essential for protecting sensitive data on the internet.

What Is a Server Certificate?

A server certificate is a digital file that verifies a server’s identity, making secure online communications possible. It sits on a server and converts the HTTP security protocol to HTTPS. As a result, the web browser visually indicates the website’s legitimacy, usually with a padlock icon, although it may vary depending on the browser. 

Server certificates are also important for safeguarding other types of servers, such as Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) servers and mail servers. RADIUS server certificates authenticate and encrypt communication between network devices and the RADIUS server to protect critical authentication data in remote access scenarios.

Server certificates offer encryption for data transfers between the browser and the server. This indicates that every data transfer across a website is protected against cyberattacks.

A server certificate has a pair of public and private keys. The public key is provided to the client during the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) handshake and is packaged with the certificate, while the private key is kept on the server. The website displays the secure padlock icon and changes the protocol to HTTPS as soon as the certificate is deployed on the web server. Using web server certificates helps maintain data integrity and confidentiality.

What Is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an encryption-based security protocol. Netscape developed SSL in the mid-1990s to:

• Maintain data privacy on the web. Before SSL, data was transmitted in plaintext. SSL-encrypted data traveling between a client and server. 
• Authenticate web users. SSL verified that the parties exchanging information were who they claimed to be.
• Preserve data integrity. SSL also verified that data hadn’t been forged or tampered with while traveling. 

Whenever a client connected to an SSL-secured server, SSL would initiate a handshake in which the server proved its identity and a session key was created to encrypt communications. All of this happened quickly enough to avoid disrupting the user experience. 

When Did SSL Become Obsolete?

Although SSL represented a leap forward in internet security for its time, all versions of SSL were eventually deprecated due to security vulnerabilities. The successor to SSL, published in 1999, is Transport Layer Security (TLS). The current standard is TLS 1.3, which was finalized in 2018. 

Are a Server Certificate and an SSL Certificate the Same Thing?

Because SSL certificates have been deprecated for many years, few organizations use them anymore. But even today, longtime IT professionals sometimes say “SSL certificate” when they’re referring to a TLS certificate, which is the current standard server certificate.

What Do Server Certificates Do?

Server certificates make it possible to employ SSL/TLS encryption protocols to safeguard user privacy when they exchange sensitive information — such as credit card numbers, login passwords, and personal information — with websites. They enable browsers to authenticate the server, which prevents impersonation, phishing attempts, and other harmful behaviors.

Aside from their uses on the web, server certificates are also used to ensure that clients connect to the right servers and to secure communications between servers. As we mentioned above, server certificates can be assigned to authentication servers (such as RADIUS servers) to make sure users are connecting and authenticating to the correct server. To further help protect data integrity, server certificates also enable digital signatures and cryptographic hash algorithms.

The Different Types of Server Certificates

You can use several types of web server certificates to fulfill different security and operational needs. Common types of server certificates include:

• Domain Validated (DV) certificates: Enable basic encryption and domain ownership verification to safeguard client-server data transfers and privacy.
• Organization Validated (OV) certificates: To increase trust, provide a more robust identity validation than DV, and include the organization’s verified data in the certificate.
• Extended Validation (EV) certificates: Ensure the utmost security for e-commerce, finance, and government websites through strong encryption and validation.
• Wildcard certificates: Simplify the process of protecting cloud-based services or several subdomains under one main domain.
• Multi-domain certificates: Streamline certificate administration by using a single certificate to secure numerous domain names and subdomains on one server.

How Does a Server Certificate Work?

SSL/TLS encryption security relies on asymmetric encryption, often known as public-key cryptography or encryption.

Asymmetric encryption uses a public key for data encryption and a private key for data decryption. This helps reassure customers about the security of their transactions and foster trust in the business.

When a client connects to a web server:

1. The browser makes an attempt to establish a connection with an SSL-certified web server or website.
2. The web server sends a copy of the SSL certificate to the browser.
3. After confirming the certificate’s legitimacy, the browser notifies the web server.
4. To begin an SSL-encrypted session, the web server or website sends back a digitally signed approval.
5. The browser and web server begin encrypted communication.
   
   Source

Common Server Certificate Use Cases

Organizations across industries rely on server certificates to provide validation and encryption in a wide range of infrastructure types. The most common use cases include:

• HTTPS web servers: Any website using HTTPS uses a server certificate to authenticate its identity and encrypt all traffic between browsers and the web server. The server certificate protects sensitive data from being intercepted by cybercriminals.
• RADIUS authentication servers: Server certificates on RADIUS servers verify the server’s identity to clients as they try to connect. Without the certificates, attackers could stand up rogue servers that appeared to be legitimate and then capture client credentials for unauthorized reuse.
• VPN gateways: Before remote clients can establish a secure tunnel on a VPN gateway, they need to authenticate the VPN server using a server certificate. In this deployment, server certificates are far more secure than pre-shared keys. 
• Email servers: To ensure that messages can travel securely over SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 connections, mail servers use server certificates for encryption. 
• Internet of Things (IoT) and device networks: Server certificates secure machine-to-machine communication for the increasing number of network-connected devices in virtually every industry. To ensure they don’t send sensitive data to a spoofed endpoint, IoT devices use certificates to authenticate servers before transmission.

How Does Server Certificate Validation Safeguard Web Transactions?

A vital first line of defense against possible vulnerabilities in digital security is server certificate validation. Systems are exposed to several risks when comprehensive validation is not performed. Initially, in the absence of appropriate authentication, cybercriminals may carry out man-in-the-middle (MITM) assaults, snooping on confidential information sent between the client and the server. This interception facilitates data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The lack of validation also leaves systems vulnerable to spoofing attacks, in which attackers pose as genuine services to trick unwary users into providing important information.

Preventing Man-in-the-Middle Attacks and Phishing Schemes

With server certificate validation, businesses can reduce many risks. By confirming that the server is the entity it claims to be, validation guarantees the server’s legitimacy, preventing MITM attacks and maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of data in transit. Verifying the server’s identity via server certificate validation protects against phishing efforts by making it far more difficult for attackers to pose as trustworthy organizations. Implementing strong validation standards helps organizations strengthen their defenses against cyber threats, protect their assets, and boost users’ confidence.

Server Certificates and RADIUS Servers

Certificate validation is paramount for guaranteeing the security and integrity of remote authentication procedures involving RADIUS servers. By confirming the RADIUS server’s legitimacy, server certificates reduce the possibility of MITM attacks and illegal access attempts. Validation thwarts phishing attempts by creating trust in the server’s authenticity and strengthening defenses against fraudulent operations that target authentication methods.

Are Server Certificates Secure?

No method of digital security is impenetrable, but server certificates provide a highly secure foundation for encrypted communications. Certificate authorities (CAs) or certificate servers verify the requester’s identity prior to issuing a certificate. They use public-key (asymmetric) cryptography, a technology that industry professionals have trusted for decades.  

But be aware that running a poorly managed certificate program can reduce or even negate the benefits of server certificates. Organizations may face these common pitfalls: 

• Expired certificates, which can cause outages of mission-critical systems. 
• Misconfigured certificates, which contain incorrect information that can leave organizations vulnerable to cyberattacks.  
• Weak key lengths, which lower the barriers for certain types of cyberattacks.  
• Certificates issued by untrusted or compromised CAs, which create a weak link in the digital security chain.  

By being diligent about certificate maintenance, and by using Certificate Transparency to monitor whether any rogue certificates have been listed for their domains, domain owners can avoid these serious threats to digital security. 

Server Certificate vs. Client Certificate: What’s the Difference?

A client certificate and a server certificate are both important for safe digital communication. Server certificates provide data confidentiality and server authenticity, whereas client certificates authenticate users or devices to servers. Both certificates, which a CA or certificate server can provide, are key for protecting sensitive data. It’s important for anyone who’s committed to online security to understand how these two types of certificates work. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

 

Client Certificate	Server Certificate
When a client tries to connect with a server, its identity is confirmed using client certificates. Without any input from the user, these certificates function as passwords.	Before establishing a connection, server certificates are needed to confirm the website’s validity.
The client certificate offers no encryption or decryption of any type.	Following authentication, the communication route between the client and the server is encrypted using server certificates.
The OID (Object Identifiers) for client authentication is 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.2.	OID for server authentication is 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1.
An email client certificate is the ideal example of a client certificate.	An SSL or TLS certificate is an illustration of a server certificate.
Authenticates the client or user to a server.	Authenticates the server to clients.
Verified by the server against trusted root certificates.	Verified by the client against trusted root certificates.

Does My Business Website Need a Server Certificate?

Server certificates help organizations maintain data integrity and privacy in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. They safeguard information sent between clients and servers. They’re especially important for enterprises that gather sensitive customer information.

Secure Web Transactions

Server certificates improve e-commerce transaction security by guaranteeing that data such as client information and payment details will be delivered securely without theft or tampering. In addition to lowering fraud risk, server certificates help organizations adhere to security regulations such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Gain Customer Trust

The well-known padlock icon in the address bar and the “HTTPS” in your web URL combined present a trustworthy image of your site that can help you attract and retain new clients. Clients who feel secure will be more inclined to make additional purchases from a website they trust.

Where to Get a Server Certificate

Depending on your use case, there are several ways to get a server certificate from a CA or certificate server. If you’re running a public-facing website or service, you’ll need external users to trust your server. Look for a certificate issued by a publicly trusted CA — one whose root certificate is included in the trust stores of major browsers and operating systems. These CAs offer DV, OV, and EV certificates. 

If you’re managing hundreds or thousands of certificates in a sophisticated enterprise environment, a managed PKI service will be your most scalable option. You’ll be able to log into a console to issue, manage, and revoke certificates for all your internal servers, RADIUS authentication, VPN gateways, and device authentication. 

At the other end of the spectrum, many web hosting platforms include SSL/TLS certificates in their hosting plans designed for personal projects and small businesses. They are often powered by Let’s Encrypt and feature automatic renewal. 

How Much Do Server Certificates Cost?

Server certificate costs vary depending on the CA, certificate type, and validation level. The DV certificates appropriate for most websites and blogs are available at no cost from Let’s Encrypt and many hosting providers. Paid DV certificates often include a site seal and warranty for a price under $100 per year. OV and EV certificates provide more stringent identity verification and can cost several hundred dollars per year. Enterprises that manage many certificates often find that managed PKI platforms make more sense economically. 

How To Implement a Server Certificate

No matter which CA or type of server you’re using, server certificate implementation will most likely involve these steps: 

1. Generate a key pair and Certificate Signing Request (CSR). Once you’ve generated a public and private key on the server where you’ll install the certificate, you can generate the CSR that you’ll submit to the CA. 
2. Submit the CSR to a CA. Include any required validation documentation. If you’re requesting a DV certificate, the CA will simply verify that you control the domain, which is typically done automatically. For OV and EV certificates, the CA will also verify your organization’s legal existence and details.
3. Install the issued certificate on your server. You’ll download the certificate file from the CA and put it on your server. To ensure the full certificate chain is trusted, you must also install any intermediate CA certificates your CA or certificate server provided.
4. Configure your server to use the certificate. Your server will use the certificate for HTTPS (port 443) or another appropriate protocol. To ensure all users connect securely, you should also configure your server to redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS. 
5. Plan for renewal. If you’re using a commercially issued certificate, it will probably be valid for one year. Let’s Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days. Set calendar reminders or use automated certificate management tools to prevent expired certificates from eroding customer trust and causing outages.  

Strengthen Your Network Security With the SecureW2 JoinNow MultiOS

Validating server certificates is a fundamental part of 802.1X authentication, which can help strengthen your network security and prevent cyberattacks. SecureW2 eliminates many risks across your Wi-Fi and internal services by providing: 

• JoinNow Cloud RADIUS with validated certificates: Our 802.1X RADIUS service includes server certificates that clients can trust. It helps prevent evil twin RADIUS attacks during EAP-TLS, PEAP, and EAP-TTLS authentication.
• Automated internal certificate management: Our technology integrates with Ansible, Puppet, and other configuration tools, making it easier for you to deploy and renew SSL certificates for private web servers and internal services.
• Zero-touch PKI lifecycle: JoinNow Dynamic PKI handles issuance, distribution, renewal, and revocation of client certificates for passwordless authentication across all devices and identity providers.
  

Find out how SecureW2 can provide your organization with seamless server certificate validation and strong safety measures. Schedule your demo today.