The CA Security Council Looks Ahead to 2020 and Beyond
January 9, 2020 by
Patrick Nohe
(GlobalSign),
Doug Beattie
(GlobalSign)
Apple
CA/Browser Forum
Chrome
Edge
Encryption
EV
Firefox
Forward Secrecy
GDPR
Google
Identity
Microsoft
Mozilla
PKI
Policy
Qualified
SSL 3.0
SSL/TLS
TLS 1.0
TLS 1.1
TLS 1.2
TLS 1.3
Web PKI
A whirlwind of activity will cause dramatic shifts across the PKI world in the year ahead Suffice it to say that 2019 was filled with challenges and contentiousness as Certificate Authorities and Browsers began to watch their shared visions diverge. The debate around Extended Validation continued as CAs pushed for a range of reforms and browsers pushed to strip its visual indicators. And a ballot to shorten maximum certificate validity periods exposed fault-lines at the CAB Forum.
Chrome Kills Mixed Content for HTTPS
December 6, 2019 by
Bruce Morton
(Entrust)
Attack
Chrome
Firefox
Mixed Content
Policy
SSL/TLS
In a phased approach, Chrome plans to block mixed content on secure websites to improve user security. Most browsers already block some mixed content such as scripts and iframes by default. Chrome is amping it up by gradually taking steps to also block images, audio recordings and videos, according to a recent Google Security blog. Preventing mixed content to load will eventually result in HTTPS websites losing their security indicator downgrading the site to HTTP, which alerts visitors that the site is not secure.
Online Identity Is Important: Let’s Upgrade Extended Validation
October 21, 2019 by
Patrick Nohe
(GlobalSign)
Apple
CA/Browser Forum
Chrome
Code Signing
Encryption
EV
Google
Identity
Mozilla
Phishing
SSL/TLS
It’s time for the CA/Browser Forum to focus on the other half of its mandate Let’s have a candid discussion about Extended Validation SSL. What’s working. What’s NOT. And what can be done to fix it so that all parties involved are satisfied.
But first, let’s zoom out and talk big picture. The vast majority of website owners almost never think of SSL. They worry about it once every year or so when it needs to be replaced, but it’s not really a major point of consideration.
The Insecure Elephant in the Room
October 10, 2019 by
Paul Walsh
2FA
Android
Attack
Chrome
DV
Encryption
EV
Firefox
Google
Identity
Malware
Microsoft
Mozilla
Phishing
Policy
Revocation
SSL/TLS
Vulnerability
W3C
The purpose of this article The purpose of this article is to demonstrate why I believe browser-based UI for website identity can make the web safer for everyone. I explain in great detail, the reasons why the UI and UX didn’t work in the past. And what’s left is only making the problem worse instead of better.
Some people seem to find it difficult to consume my thoughts about the enforcement of “HTTPS EVERYWHERE”, free DV certs and the browser padlock.
Why Are You Removing Website Identity, Google and Mozilla?
August 27, 2019 by
Kirk Hall
(Entrust),
Tim Callan
(Sectigo)
CA/Browser Forum
Chrome
DV
Encryption
EV
Firefox
GDPR
Google
Identity
Malware
Mozilla
Phishing
SSL/TLS
You can’t have consumer privacy without having strong website identity Today there’s a huge wave toward protecting consumer privacy – in Congress, with the GDPR, etc. – but how can we protect user privacy on the web without establishing the identity of the websites that are asking for consumer passwords and credit card numbers? Extended Validation (EV) certificates provide this information and can be very useful for consumers.
Recently, Google and Mozilla have announced plan to eliminate the distinctive indicators in the Chrome and Firefox browsers that let consumers know that they are looking at a site authenticated with an EV certificate.
9 Common Myths About CAs
August 1, 2019 by
Tim Callan
(Sectigo)
CA/Browser Forum
CASC
Code Signing
Encryption
ETSI
Identity
Malware
PKI
Qualified
Revocation
SSL/TLS
Vulnerability
WebTrust
Over the years misconceptions about CAs and the SSL infrastructure have arisen. Below is a list of common myths related to SSL and CAs.
Myth #1: CAs are not regulated Fact: CAs are subject to various checks and balances, including third-party qualified audits through WebTrust or ETSI and strict criteria set forth by leading browsers, before they are accepted in browser root stores. Similarly, the CA/Browser Forum’s Baseline Requirements and Network Security Guidelines establish global standards for certificate issuance and CA controls that will soon be included in third-party auditing standards.
The Advantages of Short-Lived SSL Certificates for the Enterprise
July 18, 2019 by
Doug Beattie
(GlobalSign)
CRL
Mozilla
Revocation
SSL/TLS
Vulnerability
Short validity period certificates are becoming ever more common to reduce the scope of data compromised if a server vulnerability is uncovered, such as HeartBleed. Good security practice dictates changing keys on a regular basis, normally annually, but if you want to limit your exposure further, you can replace your certificates and underlying keys more frequently.
Sandstorm is an open source server software that makes it easy to install web apps.
What Are Subordinate CAs and Why Would You Want Your Own?
June 26, 2019 by
Doug Beattie
(GlobalSign)
CA/Browser Forum
Chrome
Code Signing
CRL
ECC
eIDAS
Encryption
EV
HSM
Identity
Microsoft
OCSP
PKI
Policy
Revocation
RSA
S/MIME
SSL/TLS
Digital certificate and PKI adoption has changed quite a bit in recent years. Gone are the days where certificates were only synonymous with SSL/TLS; compliance drivers like stronger authentication requirements and digital signature regulations (e.g. eIDAS) have greatly expanded the role of PKI within the enterprise.
As PKI usage has expanded, conversation has moved beyond just the number and type of certificates needed and onto deeper dialogue about custom PKI deployments.
What the Latest Firefox Update Means for SSL Certificates
June 14, 2019 by
Tim Callan
(Sectigo)
CASC
EV
Firefox
SSL/TLS
Vulnerability
Last month marked the release of Firefox 66, the newest iteration of the ever-popular web browser. The update adds a number of interesting new features, including improvements to content loading and extension storage, auto-play sound blocking, and support for the AV1 codec (on the Windows version at least). The search feature has also been improved, and, as is typical of browser updates, a number of known security vulnerabilities have been patched.
2019 – Looking Back, Moving Forward
January 3, 2019 by
Bruce Morton
(Entrust)
Attack
CA/Browser Forum
Certificate Expiry
Chrome
Code Signing
DV
ECC
EV
Forward Secrecy
Identity
Mis-issued
Phishing
PKI
Policy
Qualified
Revocation
RSA
SSL/TLS
TLS 1.0
TLS 1.3
Vulnerability
Looking Back at 2018 2018 was an active year for SSL/TLS. We saw the SSL/TLS certificate validity period drop to 825-days and the mass deployment of Certificate Transparency (CT). TLS 1.3 protocol was finally completed and published; and Chrome status bar security indicators changing to remove “secure” and to concentrate on “not secure.” The CA/Browser Forum has been reformed, the London Protocol was announced and the nearly full distrust of Symantec SSL completed.
