Navigating the Future With Shorter TLS Lifespans

In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, management of Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates is undergoing significant changes. Recently, Apple proposed a ballot to the CA Browser Forum to reduce the validity of TLS certificates to 45 days starting in 2027, following Google's earlier announcement to reduce certificate validity to 90 days.

These developments signal a paradigm shift in how organizations will need to manage their digital certificates. Now is the time to explore the implications of these changes, the challenges they present, and the strategies organizations can adopt to navigate this new terrain.

Rationale for Reducing Certificate Lifespans

TLS certificates have traditionally had validity periods ranging from one to three years. Over time, these periods have been progressively shortened to enhance security. The move to 45-day and 90-day validity periods represents the latest step in this evolution.

The rationale behind these reductions is clear: Shorter certificate lifespans reduce the window of opportunity for attackers to exploit compromised certificates, enhancing overall security.

Certificates are a critical component of secure communications, ensuring that data transmitted over the Internet is encrypted and that the parties involved are authenticated. However, longer certificate lifespans increase the risk of compromise.

Shorter validity periods reduce the risk of compromised certificates being used to intercept sensitive data. They also prompt more frequent updates to cryptographic algorithms, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.

Challenges of Shorter Certificate Lifespans

While the security benefits of shorter certificate lifespans are clear, they also present significant operational challenges. The most immediate impact is the increased frequency of certificate renewals. For organizations managing large numbers of certificates, this can translate into a substantial administrative burden.

Manual certificate management processes, which may have been adequate for longer validity periods, become impractical with shorter lifespans. The risk of human error increases, potentially leading to service disruptions if certificates are not renewed in a timely manner. Additionally, the increased frequency of renewals can strain IT resources, diverting attention from other critical tasks.

Solution: Embracing Automation

To address these challenges, organizations must embrace automation in certificate life-cycle management. One of the most effective tools for this purpose is the Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) protocol. ACME automates the process of certificate issuance, renewal, and revocation, significantly reducing the administrative burden and minimizing the risk of human error.

ACME works by allowing clients to interact with certificate authorities (CAs) to request, renew, and revoke certificates automatically. This protocol is widely supported by modern CAs and is integral to many automated certificate management solutions.

Addressing Legacy System Challenges

Despite the advantages of ACME, many organizations face challenges with legacy systems that do not support the protocol. These systems may be critical to operations and cannot be easily replaced or upgraded. To address this issue, organizations can consider the following options:

Strategic Approaches

Alongside automation, organizations should adopt a strategic approach to certificate management. This includes establishing robust policies for issuance and renewal and maintaining an up-to-date certificate inventory. Regular audits can ensure compliance and address any gaps.

For high-security environments, organizations can issue short-lived certificates to further minimize compromise risks.

Preparing for the Future

As certificate lifespans shorten, organizations must stay ahead by adopting necessary tools and fostering a strong security culture. IT and security teams should be trained on the importance of certificate management in maintaining cybersecurity.

Looking ahead, the trend of reducing certificate lifespans is likely to continue. Organizations that adapt will be better equipped to protect their digital assets and maintain customer trust.

Conclusion

Reducing TLS certificate validity to 45 days marks a major shift in cybersecurity. While it boosts security, it also introduces operational challenges. With Google and Apple shifting to shorter TLS validities, these changes will impact organizations and their strategies to adapt. To navigate these changes effectively, download our Essential Guide to Enterprise SSL Management and Automation Strategies playbook.

By Mrugesh Chandarana, Product Management Director for Identity and Access Management Solutions, HID Global

About the Author

Mrugesh Chandarana is Product Management Director for Identity and Access Management Solutions at HID Global, where he focuses on Internet of Things (IoT) and public key infrastructure (PKI) solutions. He has more than 10 years of cybersecurity industry experience in areas such as risk management, threat and vulnerability management, application security, and PKI. He has held product management positions at RiskSense, WhiteHat Security (acquired by NTT Security), and RiskVision (acquired by Resolver, Inc.).