While any online business should consider the use of site-wide security if they are planning to deal with sensitive information, it can be a little overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with the process. Applying for SSL security, such as a san certificate for your website, is a fairly simple process as long as you stay organised and know what you’re doing (or at least employ a server administrator who can do the hard work for you!).
The main aim of a SSL certificate is to encrypt data that is sent over a secure connection so that if a third party was to compromise the connection, they wouldn’t be able to get their hands on the sensitive information that they could exploit. SSL certificates, issued by a reputable Certificate Authority, also help to verify the authenticity of the website so that consumers know that it can be trusted.
While the advantages of having such a certificate are substantial, you could argue that there are disadvantages too.
Advantagesof SSL Certificate
- Your sensitive data is protected and secure – up to 256-bit encryption is in place to ensure that the data being transferred is indecipherable. This is particularly useful if you’re dealing with things like credit card details, personal information and login passwords.
- Protects against impersonation and interception – with a SSL certificate, you can ensure that your website is who it says it is. If a customer was to land on a site pretending to be you, they’d know that something has been compromised.
- Accessible – information about SSL certificates in use can be accessed anywhere, not just your computer.
- Increased consumer confidence – a greater degree of trust will likely lead to increased turnover and profit.
Disadvantages SSL Certificate
- Troubleshooting Issues – while sensitive data is hidden, other information is also concealed which can cause issues with regards to troubleshooting components (e.g. SQL queries and URL paths).
That being said, the pros of SSL protection, from a business owner’s angle, are tenfold any disadvantages. Protecting your customer’s data will show that you care about their wellbeing and prove that you’re a business who can be trusted.