The usage of tls and ssl, like the use of any other technology, is associated with both benefits and drawbacks. When data is encrypted with SSL, it cannot be intercepted in transit. Cyberattacks of all kinds, including the “man in the middle” sort, get more challenging as time goes on.
While SSL’s implementation is straightforward, TLS’s flexibility and standardisation are intentional design choices. This makes the process of setting it up a breeze. The process of obtaining a certificate is straightforward, and there is a plethora of certificate authorities from which to choose. The fact that zero work is needed of the user also adds to the satisfaction they feel.
It can serve a wide range of customers with few configuration tweaks
Current browsers and client services support both SSL and TLS. SSL can be trusted to work across all platforms without requiring administrators to make any platform-specific adjustments.
It’s like two steps in one: verification and encryption
An SSL certificate allows the legitimacy of a website’s claimed affiliation to be checked. Furthermore, the authentication and encryption procedures may be neatly packaged together due to the mix of symmetric and asymmetric encryption.
It improves the website’s natural search engine ranks
Search engines like Google have publicly said that they will favour sites that use HTTPS over those that do not in terms of SEO rankings. Consequently, a business that uses SSL may see a boost in search engine rankings and site visitors.
It makes it easier to follow the industry’s regulations
The safeguarding of sensitive information is now a top priority for businesses of all sizes. To meet the requirements of laws like HIPAA and PCI DSS, encryption of user data is essential. Businesses and groups who don’t comply might be hit with heavy fines.
Online criminals are experts at discovering vulnerabilities and taking advantage of them
There were vulnerabilities in earlier iterations of SSL and TLS that prompted the creation of improved protocols. The absence of a way to mandate that all clients use the most current version of the programme leaves these interactions vulnerable to cybercriminals. The Padding Oracle On Downgraded Legacy Encryption (POODLE) flaw is an excellent example of this. Browsers that only support SSL 3.0 up to the most recent version are vulnerable to an attack that creates a new window.
SSL encryption complicates traffic visibility since it does not distinguish between safe and risky conversations. Because of this, traffic monitoring is more challenging. This makes it simpler for attackers to avoid being seen by traffic inspection tools. When information is encrypted, it becomes more difficult to identify which packets include C&C data. One way to defend against this sort of attack is to decrypt all incoming communications at the gateway. Nonetheless, the sheer quantity and complexity of the data being sent make this an infeasible option.
Conclusion
There are a variety of obstacles to overcome while attempting to decrypt data, one of which is scalability. Intentional or not, decryption might make SSL and TLS ineffective and defeat the goal of protecting sensitive information in the first place. Sensitive data may be encrypted so that only permitted individuals can access it. Using such decryption techniques may potentially be a clear violation of industry regulations.
