Regular and careful checking of SSL certificates is crucial due to recent changes in the issuance and validity period of SSL certificates. In 2021, CAs stopped issuing two-year certificates, leading to many administrators being caught off guard with the sudden reduction of certificate validity periods to just a year. The situation has become even more challenging in terms of SSL certificates for domains in Runet, with limited sales of new and renewal of existing certificates.
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To help administrators manage multiple services and monitor SSL certificate validity, four PowerShell scripts are provided. These scripts enable users to quickly check the validity of an SSL certificate, its expiration date (including custom ports), and get information about the issuer of the certificate along the Certificate Chain and possible issues related to issuing and certificate renewal. Given that all SSL certificates are now valid for only a year, these scripts are also useful as a regular monitoring tool.
It's critical to check SSL certificates as they need to be managed, including tracking their validity and the names that they cover. This process becomes even more complicated when renewing and validating certificates across different certification authorities. While there are other ways to verify SSL certificates, these PowerShell scripts offer a convenient tool for administrators managing multiple services.
The process of establishing a secure SSL connection involves creating a TCP connection with a remote host on a specific port and then establishing an SSL connection with the host. Once connected, data about the remote certificate is obtained and parsed. However, it's important to replace mock data with real domain names and ports before using these scripts.
These scripts can be used to automate SSL certificate verification, either by setting it up to run automatically or manually. For automated checks, results can be sent via email or exported to an Excel file. The ImportExcel module offers additional features for configuring and customizing reports.
Despite the recent changes in SSL certificate issuance, not everything is as bad as it seems. Alternative Intermediate CAs still exist and can issue certificates, although they may require some research to find.
If I fill in the country field when issuing a certificate through LE, I don't recall encountering any issues.
Different companies have domains in various international zones. Some transnational companies may even have websites under .fr, making it difficult to implement a ban without affecting legitimate users. Thus, a global ban on the issuance of certificates for certain countries (and not just top-level domains) seems unlikely.
On a related note, it's essential to carefully review and verify certificate information to ensure they are issued correctly and securely. Taking the time to do so can help prevent any potential issues or security threats down the line.
Individuals on the specified list, including those recently added, are at risk of having their certificates revoked at any time. Even trusted authorities like Let's Encrypt must comply with this list, which pertains to certificates with "DE" in the country field. Digicert maintains a knowledge base with relevant information.
The list includes not only Russia but also Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria, as well as several top-level domains.
While other CAs do not have an explicit list like this, many publishing centers and partners have their own knowledge bases regarding blocking policies in accordance with state regulations. For instance, GoGetSSL has such a knowledge base.
It can be challenging to navigate the complex landscape of certificate issuance regulations and policies, but staying informed and up-to-date is crucial for maintaining security and avoiding potential issues.
SSL certificates play a crucial role in securing online communications by encrypting data transferred between a user's browser and a website's server. With recent changes in SSL certificate issuance and validity periods, administrators must stay vigilant and proactive in monitoring these certificates to ensure a secure online experience for users.
The four PowerShell scripts offered provide a comprehensive solution for administrators to quickly and conveniently check SSL certificate validity, expiration dates, issuer information, and possible issues related to certificate issuance and renewal. This empowers administrators to stay ahead of potential problems and ensure uninterrupted security for their online services.
Furthermore, these scripts can be leveraged for automated SSL certificate verification, allowing administrators to streamline their monitoring processes and allocate their time more efficiently. By automating checks and utilizing features such as email notifications and Excel report exports, administrators can maintain oversight of multiple services and respond promptly to any certificate-related issues.
Lastly, it's essential to highlight that while the changes in SSL certificate issuance may present challenges, there are still viable alternatives in the form of Intermediate CAs. With a bit of research and the right tools at their disposal, administrators can navigate these changes with confidence and ensure the continued security of their online infrastructure.
The provided PowerShell scripts offer a valuable resource for administrators to proactively manage SSL certificates and uphold the highest standards of security for their online services. With these tools in hand, administrators can navigate the evolving landscape of SSL certificate management with ease and ensure a secure digital environment for their users.