An SSL certificate is a security measure that makes it more difficult for hackers to intercept data.
It is an extra line of defence between you and your customers or clients, hopefully keeping them safe from any potential cyber-attacks.
This article will explore the pros and cons of renewing an SSL certificate, including some critical considerations before deciding whether to do so.
Pros Of Renewing SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate helps to protect your customers’ data
Renewing your SSL certificate ensures that you have the latest security protocols. It is constantly being updated to keep up with changing standards, so you will always have a safe and secure website for your customers to use
Suppose you use SSL certificates instead of passwords on login pages or other sensitive information online. In that case, they will give you an essential layer of protection to help prevent hackers from stealing your customer’s data by intercepting it in transit.
SSL comes down to trust – brands need it more than most
Several types of SSL certificates are available depending on your needs, but the most common type is the Extended Validation (EV) certificate. Large brands and businesses use this type of certificate as it gives customers a high level of trust.
The green bar displayed in the browser shows that the website has been authenticated and assures customers that their data is safe.
SSL helps in SEO rankings
Another advantage of using SSL certificates is that they can positively affect your search engine ranking. Google has been making specific SSL certificates a factor in its ranking system, meaning those who use them are more likely to appear higher up in the results for specific keywords.
However, some industry experts have cautioned against putting too much emphasis on this as it may just be a temporary boost and not a long-term solution.
Cons Of Renewing SSL Certificate
Renewing your SSL certificate can be expensive.
The main downside to renewing your SSL certificate is that it can be expensive.
Depending on your needs, you may need to purchase a new certificate or upgrade to a more expensive one. If you have a small website with limited traffic, this may not be worth the investment.
You need to keep your SSL certificates up-to-date to keep the green bar
If you’re using an SSL certificate with a green bar on your website, you must keep up with updates. If new browser versions are released, and your certificate does not support them, then you will no longer have the green bar.
This means that hackers may be able to copy sensitive information without detection.
You need more than an SSL Certificate on your website for security.
It’s important to understand that having an SSL certificate is only one step towards achieving maximum security.
If it has been hacked or compromised by malware or any other kind of malicious attack, it can still leave customers’ data exposed even if they’re visiting a secure site.
SSL certificates do expire, so make sure you renew them in time
One final consideration is that SSL certificates are only valid for a certain length of time. If your certificate is set to expire, then your SSL will stop working until it can be renewed.
This means you will lose valuable customers if they aren’t aware that the site has been downgraded. It’s always best to schedule renewal well in advance to avoid any disruptions or issues with downtime.
It can also be time-consuming and require a fair bit of technical knowledge.
Renewing SSL also is a highly technical process. Some websites may even require a complete overhaul to make changes and updates to the existing SSL certificate.
Therefore, if your server architecture needs to be updated or you have a lot of code that needs updating, it can be time-consuming and expensive just to get your website up and running again.
In the past few years, SSL certificates have become an essential security measure for anyone who wants to protect their data. However, they can be expensive and time-consuming to manage if you need to know what you’re doing.
It’s vital that before renewing your certificate or upgrading it with a new one, you research which type of certificate is best suited for your website and consider how much effort will be required to keep up with updates so that customers’ information remains safe and secure at all times.