{"id":188,"date":"2022-06-14T10:08:25","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T10:08:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elevenguard.com\/blog\/?p=188"},"modified":"2022-06-14T10:08:25","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T10:08:25","slug":"ssl-certificate-inspection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elevenguard.com\/blog\/ssl-certificate-inspection\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About SSL Inspection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SSL certificate inspection refers to intercepting and analyzing SSL-encrypted traffic between the server and client to eliminate malicious content.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The majority of today’s internet traffic is SSL-encrypted. Due to Google’s strive to promote web traffic encryption<\/a>, we often communicate via secure HTTPS connections. Encrypting traffic safeguards data, so SSL certificate inspection enhances website security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL interception can be either sporadic or always on. It involves decryption and inspection of data going to your servers from your website. The process also repeats for data going from your servers to your websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, malicious people can use these encrypted connections to disperse malware. The malware can extract confidential information from company networks. SSL inspection adds an extra security layer between users and your website to minimize such security risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is SSL Inspection?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using SSL\/TLS in HTTPS ensures better security for traffic with sensitive information. Although this ability benefits user privacy, cybercriminals can leverage this opportunity. Most malware contains HTTPS to cloak the control and command communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) are network protocols<\/a>. They use encryption to strengthen security in other insecure protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These protocols are popular in HTTPS as tools to secure website traffic. However, their misuse in creating malware makes it a vital component of any company’s cybersecurity strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HTTP<\/a> transfers data between the user or browser and the server or website in plain text mode. Any person who uses powerful algorithms to intercept the data in transit can access, interpret and interfere with it as they please.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificates assist by using powerful algorithms to encrypt data in transit to ensure it remains safe. Since all data gets encrypted, even malicious data reaches the intended destination unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certificate Inspection Vs. Deep Inspection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A deep inspection enables administrators to determine the contents of data packets in real-time. It scans the destination and origin address, and any other relevant information as the packets move across the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data passes through a gateway device for scanning and decryption with a deep inspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificate inspection is shallow as it examines the data packet’s header. The header only has the sender’s and recipient’s IP addresses. It doesn’t scan the packet’s application layers, session, or presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificates encrypt private data for protection. However, the encrypted traffic can help malware bypass normal security defenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, you can download contaminated files online or open a phishing email with a downloader file. In such cases, launching the file initiates an encrypted session between your computer and the server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the sessions have encryption, they can bypass your network\u2019s security defenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages Of SSL Inspection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificate inspection ensures better network visibility. It\u2019s possible to monitor incoming and outgoing data and incorporate machine learning\/AI security solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other advantages of SSL inspection are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhanced Security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The primary purpose of SSL inspection is to ensure that only the intended recipient can interpret the data. Since the data remains encrypted, if it falls into the wrong hands, they will be unable to understand the information.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data Authentication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since there are numerous data transfer channels on the internet, this data may end with unintended third parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL assists by ensuring the data reach the appropriate server via the Server certificate. This certificate verifies that the certificate provider is trustworthy.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better Reliability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificate inspection helps users verify that your website is legit. SSL authenticate sites have a green lock symbol on the address bar so users can be sure they are real.
The lock displays that your website has reliable security measures to accommodate transactions.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phishing Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Malicious people often send phishing emails disguised as shipping confirmations and advertisements<\/a>. Such emails contain a link that redirects you to a different site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sites purposefully exist to collect sensitive details such as credit card information. It’s challenging or impossible for these websites to acquire genuine SSL certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lack of an SSL certificate can deter most users from sharing confidential details.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online Payments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All payment or credit card companies require that websites receiving payment have an SSL certificate. The certificate should have a minimum of 128-bit encryption<\/a> to receive payments.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Accessing SSL only requires an internet connection via standard web browsers, meaning no software requires installation on the user’s end. Companies can save significantly on software purchase, management, and maintenance.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEO Rankings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificate improves your search engine rankings. Google clarified that the algorithm prioritizes websites with SSL certificates on Search Engine Result Pages (SERP)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL Inspection Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SSL mechanism ensures that data remains encrypted until it reaches the intended destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With SSL inspection, an interception device positioned in the middle scrutinizes and sifts through the data. This process happens before the data reaches the intended recipient.
This interception device or the middlebox<\/a> facilitates all incoming and outgoing data decryption. It eliminates any suspicious data before encrypting the data again and transferring it to the intended user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL inspection is available in two popular forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n