Secure sockets layer (SSL) and transport layer security (TLS) certificates are the two most widely adopted security artefacts used for website protection and end to end security. Both web security standards utilise certificates to enforce encryption between the hosting web server, the website and the user browser. This means any interaction or traffic flow between the website, user and the internet browser is fully protected for the duration of the user session.
SSL and TLS makes it possible for secure card purchases to be undertaken online, secure user login and sensitive information transfers without concerns for information snooping or data hijacking from malicious sources.
There are differences between TSL and SSL and although marginal, they both useful for ensuring the secure connection for data
exchange between source and destination entities online.
How SSL & TLS Certificates Work?
Basically, data from source to destination systems is secured during transmission across the network transportation layer with verified file level encryption applied via a control code.
SSL and TLS use certificates to enforce and identify the type of encryption that is applied for a web connection, which can be validated by inputting https:// before the www part of the website domain name or website link.
When a site is secure it will display a padlock in front of the domain name. An insecure website will https in the URL and therefore will not be considered safe for online transactions or visit b y search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing and others. Having a safe website now an important part of ensuring regularoy compliance and every website owner / operator now need to have an https site URL.
Online Safety and Security
Cybersecurity and hacking is actively increasing, given the number of devices that are now connected to the internet along with the rising also threats caused by data breach, identity theft and system compromise.
Many small business and professional website owners are of the impression that their network system and website is immune to the effects of hacking, but this is a massive mistake. Since the beginning of 2020 the highest levels of malicious attacks and data breaches were from small business and those hosting online platforms with data stored on remote servers.
In these scenarios, hacking is generally accomplished by malicious search crawlers searching cyber space for potential targets that can be easily compromised. Without SSL or TLS as an extra layer of defence, owners of these website are opening themselves up to becoming victim of proportionate attacks.
Ecommerce website and those accepting user login generally rely on username and passwords for access. Nowadays, websites without SSL or TLS security certificate would be looked upon as a suspicious entity with minimal user trust. This means security certificates need to be in place in or for sites to can take card payments.
GDPR Compliance & Regulatory Impacts
General Data Defense Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25th May 2019 and places responsibility on data controllers and owners to ensure the safe and consistent protection of customer / user data, without which there could be massive fines and penalties. For this reason security certificates on web sites have become a mandatory requirement as it indicate that due diligence has been taken to protect the date that one is responsible for. With the new information security regulation, it’s vital that any company gathering individual recognisable data have roper protection in place to safeguard its existence.
Some sites function by gathering details regarding their users for future marketing and retargeting via different methods. If you have not installed a TSL certificate and data within your control gets breached, you will need to inform the ICO and advise all impacted consumers of this occurrence.
SEO Services Requirements
When Google come across a website that doesn’t have SSL or TLS in place, these are flagged as “not secure”, a measure which was implemented back in 2017. Since that time, it is also estimated that at least two-thirds of all internet facing websites are still considered unsafe and insecure. Effective SEO services rely on having HTTP as an active feature within the site as a mandatory
technical SEO metrics.
Another internet trust management company – Moz – also highlighted that there is a connection between websites with HTTPS and the final weighting of their search ranking results.
Additionally, GlobalSign’s research reveals that 84% of web customers would abandon an online purchase if data was sent out over an insecure connection which could impact their data privacy and security. This means websites without HTTPS could be penalised by lower search position visibility from Google along with a lower domain name authority and trust flow. This focus on safe web sites will continue to play an important role in boosting the value of SEO, web development and visitor conversions.
In Conclusion…
Although SSL and TLS certifications do attract a cost of around ₤70 each year, the financial investment versus the risk is well worth the effort and peace of mind.
The increase of individuals acquiring TSL and SSL certificates will continue to increase as emphasis on compliance become more stringent for the protection of data and information security.
As e-commerce presence continue to grow and more transactions are carried out as part of online shopping the need for secure platform will become mandatory. Both local businesses to large companies will want to ensure they are not caught out due to the lack of safeguard practices and inadequate cyber security mechanisms in place.
