The Importance Of Website Security Certification And How To Get It

The security of websites has become a top priority in today’s digital environment when having an online presence is essential for both individuals and organizations. As a result of the sharp rise in cyber threats and data breaches, safeguarding sensitive data is more critical than ever. A key factor in this is website security certification.

Website security certification assures website owners and visitors that the necessary safeguards are in place to protect their data and guarantee a secure browsing experience. Businesses can increase their credibility, foster customer trust, and reduce the risks related to potential cyberattacks by obtaining a website security certification.

This article examines the importance of website security certification and the steps required to achieve it. We’ll go over the advantages of having a safe website that has been certified, as well as the several certification choices that are out there.

Additionally, we will offer insightful information on the procedures necessary to obtain website security certification, equipping website owners with the required knowledge to defend their digital assets properly.

Table of Contents

• What is a website security certificate?
• 5 reasons why website security certification is important
• Main types of website security certification
  • Domain Validated (DV) certificates
  • Organization Validated (OV) certificates
  • Extended Validation (EV) certificates
  • Wildcard certificate
  • Multidomain (MD) or Subject Alternative Names (SAN) certificate
• 8 essential website security requirements
• 4 key steps to get a website security certificate
• Wrap Up

What is a website security certificate?

A website security certificate, also known as an SSL/TLS certificate, is a digital record that verifies the authenticity and security of a website. It acts as an electronic “passport” that establishes an encrypted link between a user’s browser and a web server, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between them.

A website security certificate’s primary function is to facilitate safe communication by encrypting sensitive data, including login credentials, credit cards, and personal information. This encryption guards against unwanted access and eavesdropping and tampering while in transit.

The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols are used by website security certificates to create a secure connection. When an SSL/TLS certificate is installed on a website, the conventional “http://” prefix in the URL is substituted with “https://”. The “s” stands for secure, indicating that the connection is encrypted and that the website has a valid certificate.

In short, a website security certificate is an essential part of a safe online space. By confirming the website’s legitimacy, not only secures data transmission but also builds confidence between the website and its visitors. A crucial first step in protecting confidential data and ensuring consumers have a secure surfing experience is to have a website security certificate.

5 reasons why website security certification is important

Increased trust, a more secure website, better search engine results, safety for subdomains, and the ability for companies to capitalize on their reputation are all benefits of website security certification.

In today’s digital environment, when cybersecurity threats are pervasive, and user trust is crucial, the following arguments will illustrate the need to obtain a website security certificate:

Higher levels of trust

Building trust with visitors and customers requires a website security certification. Users consider a website reliable when they see a security certificate. A security certificate’s presence demonstrates that the website’s owner has taken aggressive steps to safeguard user data and their privacy.

With the knowledge that their data is being delivered securely, this assurance encourages consumers to submit their personal information, such as contact information or payment credentials. Website security certification enables pleasant user experiences and can enhance engagement, conversions, and client loyalty by building trust.

More secure websites

Implementing encryption techniques, often SSL/TLS, to secure the connection between the website and the user’s browser requires obtaining a website security certificate. Data transmission between your website and users is encrypted and unintelligible to unauthorized parties, thanks to encryption. This encryption shields sensitive data from being intercepted or altered during transmission.

Users can feel secure knowing that their data, including login passwords, credit card information, and personal information, remains safe from potential cyber threats and data breaches if a security certificate exists. An improved website’s overall security posture helps safeguard user data’s privacy and confidentiality.

“Website security is the digital moat that protects your online castle. In an age where every byte of data is valuable, fortifying your website against cyber threats is not a choice but a necessity. Remember, in the world of the web, a strong defense is the key to a resilient digital kingdom” - Hari Ravichandran, CEO of Aura.

Greater visibility

Websites with security certificates are given priority in search results by search engines like Google. Websites with SSL/TLS certificates are regarded as more reliable and rewarded with higher search engine rankings.

As a result, obtaining a website security certificate can help with the website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts, resulting in higher ranks and more organic visitors. Improved visitor numbers, improved brand exposure, and possibly higher conversion rates can all result from better search engine visibility. Businesses can enhance online visibility and expand their audience by investing in website security certification.

More safety for subdomains

Website security certification can protect the primary domain and any linked subdomains. This is especially useful for websites with several functionality or areas that may be accessed through subdomains. For instance, a customer portal or payment gateway might exist as different subdomains on an e-commerce website.

Consistent security levels are maintained across the entire website using the same security certificate for all subdomains. Users can move between the website’s various sections without jeopardizing their security or seeing browser warnings. A seamless and secure user experience across the board becomes possible with this integrated approach to security.

Higher reputation of a business

A website’s dedication to professionalism and security is shown by obtaining a website security certificate. Customers will receive a clear message that the website’s proprietor respects and works hard to protect their privacy.

Businesses can capitalize on their reputation and set themselves apart from rivals who may have yet to invest in securing their websites by prominently displaying the security certificate seal or trust indicators on the website.

This may have a favorable effect on how people view the company, give potential customers more confidence, and help the brand develop a positive reputation. Customers are more likely to select a website with a security certificate over one without one if they prioritize security and privacy.

Main types of website security certification

Domain Validated (DV) certificates

Domain Validated certificates are the most basic type of website security certificate. They validate the ownership of the domain, confirming that the certificate applicant has control over the domain they wish to secure. DV certificates are typically issued quickly and at a lower cost than other certificates.

However, they provide minimal information about the website owner and do not provide extensive validation of the organization behind the website. DV certificates are suitable for personal websites, blogs, or small-scale e-commerce sites where encryption is the primary requirement.

Organization Validated (OV) certificates

Organization Validated certificates provide a higher level of validation compared to DV certificates. In addition to verifying domain ownership, OV certificates also validate the organization’s legal existence and physical location behind the website.

This involves a more rigorous vetting process, including verifying organization documents and conducting checks to ensure the applicant’s legitimacy. OV certificates provide more trust and credibility to website visitors, as they display the organization’s name in the certificate details.

They are suitable for businesses, government organizations, and other entities prioritizing a higher assurance level for their website visitors.

Extended Validation (EV) certificates

EV certificates offer the highest level of validation and assurance for website security. They offer the most apparent trust signals, including a green address bar in web browsers that prominently displays the company’s name.

EV certificates undergo a rigorous verification process that includes intensive scrutiny of the company’s legal and physical existence, domain ownership, and organization validation.

EV certificates are perfect for e-commerce websites, financial institutions, or any company that manages sensitive user data because they are made to inspire the highest level of confidence and trust in website visitors.

Wildcard certificate

With a single certificate, wildcard certificates can safeguard a domain and all of its subdomains. They enable the certificate to be valid for numerous subdomains by using the wildcard character () in the domain name.

For instance, a “.example.com” wildcard certificate would protect “www.example.com,” “mail.example.com,” and any other subdomains under “example.com.”

Wildcard certificates are practical and economical for websites with several subdomains or when new subdomains are often added. They offer protection and encryption for the whole domain and its subdomains.

Multidomain (MD) or Subject Alternative Names (SAN) certificate

Multidomain or Subject Alternative Names (SAN) certificates allow multiple domain names to be secured with a single certificate. They offer flexibility for websites that have multiple domains or subdomains to secure. SAN certificates can cover different domain names, allowing organizations to secure their main webpage, additional domains, and subdomains with a single certificate.

This simplifies certificate management and reduces costs compared to obtaining individual certificates for each domain. SAN certificates suit businesses with multiple online properties, such as e-commerce platforms or organizations with regional or country-specific websites.

8 essential website security requirements

To achieve a robust security posture, following a few standard website security requirements is generally advised. Here are a few crucial specifications for website security certification:

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Implement SSL/TLS encryption to establish a secure connection between the website and users’ browsers. This ensures that data transmitted between the two is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.

Strong Authentication

Implement robust user authentication mechanisms to ensure only authorized individuals can access sensitive website areas. This may include implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), strong password policies, and secure login mechanisms.

Regular Software Updates

Keep all website software, including content management systems (CMS), plugins, and themes, up to date with the latest security patches. Outdated software can have vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.

Robust Password Policies

Enforce strong password policies for users, including requiring complex passwords, regular password changes, and password length requirements. Additionally, consider implementing password hashing or encryption to protect stored passwords.

Secure File Uploads

Implement proper validation and filtering mechanisms for file uploads to prevent malicious files from being uploaded to the website. This helps mitigate the risk of attacks such as file inclusion vulnerabilities or the spread of malware.

Secure Coding Practices

Follow secure coding practices to minimize the risk of common vulnerabilities, such as SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), or cross-site request forgery (CSRF). This includes input validation, output encoding, and parameterized queries to prevent code injection attacks.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Implement a web application firewall to protect against common web-based attacks and provide an additional layer of security. A WAF can help detect and block malicious traffic before it reaches the website.

4 key steps to get a website security certificate

Here are four critical stages of getting a website security certificate, which is necessary to ensure a successful implementation:

Step 1. Find a reliable CA

The first step is to choose a trustworthy Certificate Authority (CA) to issue your website security certificate. Trusted organizations called CAs verify and distribute certificates.

Find reputable CAs that provide various certificate options and have a good standing in the sector. Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert, Comodo, and Symantec are a few well-known CAs.

Step 2. Establish a certificate signing demand

It’s necessary to create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in order to receive a website security certificate. A CSR serves as a request for a certificate from the CA and includes details about your website.

Usually, you generate the CSR in your web server software or hosting control panel. It contains the domain name, public key, and organization information (for OV and EV certificates).

Step 3. Await confirmation

You have to wait for the CA to confirm and issue the certificate after you have submitted the CSR to them. Depending on the type of certificate you have requested, the CA will run verification tests.

The verification procedure for DV certificates often entails validating domain ownership via email or DNS records. Additional validation procedures, such as checking the legitimacy of the company and its legal existence, will be carried out for OV and EV certificates.

Step 4. Install the certification on the server for your website

After the CA has issued the certificate, you will receive the certificate files, typically in a format like PEM or PFX. These files include the public key, certificate information, and digital signature of the CA.

You must install the certificate on your web server to allow secure connections. The precise installation procedures vary depending on the server software or hosting environment. In most cases, it entails setting up the server to use the certificate for secure connection and uploading the certificate files to the server.

It’s crucial to remember that the procedure could change slightly based on the CA and your particular needs. To help with the certificate issue and installation procedure, several CAs offer comprehensive instructions or tools. By taking the necessary action, you may improve the security and credibility of your website by ensuring a seamless process for obtaining and implementing your website security certificate.

Read more: How to do a Magento Security Audit on your website?

Wrap Up

In conclusion, website security certification is crucial in the current digital environment. Owners of websites can increase levels of trust with their customers and visitors, improve the security of online spaces, and improve their exposure in search engine results by acquiring a website security certificate. Furthermore, website security accreditation guarantees the protection of subdomains and enables companies to capitalize on their reputation as security-conscious organizations.

Finding a trustworthy Certificate Authority (CA), creating a certificate signing request, waiting for confirmation, and eventually installing the certificate on the server are essential actions website owners must take in order to obtain a website security certification. These procedures guarantee a smooth and effective certificate deployment, enhancing the website’s security and legitimacy.

Businesses and individuals can show dedication to securing user data, fostering trust, and fending off online threats by prioritizing website security certification. Investing in website security certification is a crucial step toward keeping a secure online presence and generating great user experiences at a time when online security breaches and data security concerns are on the rise.