Rather like disposable credit card numbers that save the hassle of being tied to accounts and the risk of fraud, free regenerating SSL certificates create a smart and fast way to run sites and ensure encryption. Free SSL certificates provide a convenient way to run a website or service, with reduced costs and faster activation than traditional methods.
There are many use cases where web developers and application providers need to launch services “now” to test, build and operate them. A user can download multiple SSL certificates for their website without the rigorous vetting process. That’s because one free SSL certificate can only secure one domain.
Due to their disposable nature, these have short expiry times and need to be regenerated to keep a site or service operational. As part of their fast, scalable, and secure applications delivery, Edgenexus is launching a new app to manage and generate SSL certificates from free providers, such as Lets Encrypt, to automate the process.
SSL cert spending is classed as part of IT security, a market approaching $150 billion annually, according to Statista. With growth at an expected 12.4%, firms will be looking to save where they can. While much of that is spent on server and remote worker cloud protection, a sizeable amount will end up on certificates and related costs.
The rise of free SSL certs
Lets Encrypt is the largest provider of free SSL certificates and uses the Automated Certificate Management Environment protocol (ACME) protocol to automate the certificate lifecycle management communications. ACME got a major boost in 2018 with the arrival of wildcard certificates to support sites within a domain.
All of this activity is done between Certificate Authorities (CAs) and your web servers, app services, email or devices, and other systems that make use of Public Key Infrastructure certificates (PKI).
As part of the traditional office furniture of website back-ends, SSL bills are often considered part of the cost of doing business and generates large sums for firms like Comodo (now Sectigo) or Verisign. Sectigo recently announced results of “Retail Sales Up More Than 40% and Enterprise Sales Up More Than 15%” They could soon see revenue impacted by the likes of Lets Encrypt and other free providers.
As with many internet veterans, such as ISP providers, email providers, and office utilities, many users have forced the market to provide free versions. And Lets Encrypt is growing massively, issuing some 3 million certs per day, as website growth continues unabated, with no obvious downside for users. With all those uses potentially saving hundreds of dollars annually, a massive shift in the web provider industry is on the horizon.
Test drive the Edgenexus SSL Certificate Manager
It’s easy to test drive the new Edgenexus SSL Certificate Manager. Simply follow the steps below and we will have you up and running.
- If you have a licensed EdgeADC, you are good to go to step 6.
- If you want to evaluate the EdgeADC and the SSL Manager app, first download the EdgeADC by going to our website www.edgenexus.io, and filling out the form.
- An evaluation download comes with a 14-day testing license. But you will need an App Store Apps license to access our Apps. Request this at hello@edgenexus.io – it’s free with no obligation and works for 30 days.
- Install the license into the EdgeADC.
- Register yourself at https://appstore.edgenexus.io
- Login to the App Store, and follow the instructions provided in the guide, which is available at https://edgenexus.io/documentation
Life’s made simple with Edgenexus.
