Understanding and Purchasing SSL Certificates in Azure: A Comprehensive Guide

At the heart of this post is Kairos IMS, an innovative Impact Management System designed to empower human-serving nonprofits and social impact organizations. Co-developed by the Urban League of Broward County and our trusted technology partner, Impactful, Kairos IMS reduces administrative burdens, enhances holistic care, and enables organizations to leverage data for increased agility and seamless service delivery. In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at the powerful technologies that fuel Kairos IMS, from Azure services to security frameworks, offering insight into how modern infrastructure supports mission-driven impact. Click here  to learn more. 

Securing your website is paramount. One of the most effective ways to ensure the security of your online presence is by purchasing an SSL certificate. This blog will guide you through the process of purchasing SSL certificates, explain what SSL is, and delve into the specifics of wildcard SSL certificates.

What is SSL?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a security protocol that provides privacy, authentication, and integrity to Internet communications. SSL was first developed by Netscape in 1995 to ensure that data transmitted between a web server and a browser remains private and integral. Over time, SSL evolved into Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is the modern standard for encryption.

When a website implements SSL/TLS, its URL changes from "http://" to "https://", indicating that the connection is secure. SSL encrypts data transmitted across the web, ensuring that anyone who tries to intercept this data will only see a garbled mix of characters that is nearly impossible to decrypt. This encryption process involves an authentication handshake between two communicating devices to verify their identities and ensure data integrity.

Why is SSL Important?

SSL is crucial for several reasons:

• Privacy: SSL encrypts data, protecting sensitive information such as credit card numbers and personal details from being intercepted by hackers.
• Authentication: SSL verifies the identity of the web server, preventing attackers from setting up fake websites to steal data.
• Data Integrity: SSL ensures that data is not tampered with during transmission, maintaining its integrity.

Types of SSL Certificates

There are various types of SSL certificates, including:

• Domain-Validated (DV) Certificates: These are basic certificates that verify the domain name.
• Organization-Validated (OV) Certificates: These certificates provide a higher level of validation by verifying the organization behind the domain.
• Extended Validation (EV) Certificates: These offer the highest level of validation, displaying a green address bar in the browser to indicate a secure connection.

What is a Standard SSL Certificate?

A Standard SSL certificate is designed to secure a single domain (e.g., www.example.org). It’s ideal for organizations that only need to protect one website or service. These certificates are simpler to manage and typically more cost-effective than wildcard certificates.

Benefits of Standard SSL Certificates:

• Simplicity: Best suited for securing a single domain.
• Cost-Effective: Generally, less expensive than wildcard certificates.
• Ease of Management: No need to manage subdomain coverage.

If your organization does not require coverage for multiple subdomains, a standard SSL certificate may be the most practical and budget-friendly option.

What is a Wildcard SSL Certificate?

A wildcard SSL certificate is a versatile security solution that encrypts and secures multiple subdomains under a single domain. It uses an asterisk (*) in the domain name field to represent all possible subdomains. For example, a wildcard SSL certificate for *.example.com can secure [www.example.com] (http://www.example.com), mail.example.com, store.example.com, and any other first-level subdomain.

Benefits of Wildcard SSL Certificates

Wildcard SSL certificates offer several advantages:

• Cost-Effective: One certificate covers multiple subdomains, reducing overall expenses.
• Easy Management: Simplifies the process of securing and maintaining multiple subdomains.
• Flexibility: Allows for quick addition of new subdomains without purchasing new certificates.
• Consistent Security: Ensures uniform encryption across all subdomains.

How to Purchase an SSL Certificate

Purchasing an SSL certificate through Azure involves several steps. Here's a simplified guide:

1. Log in to the Azure Portal: Go to portal.azure.com and sign in with your Azure account.
2. Create a Resource: Click on "Create a resource" and search for "App Service Certificate."
3. Select App Service Certificate: Click on "App Service Certificate" and then "Create."

    

       4. Choose your subscription, resource group, App Name, publish, runtime stack, region,               choose your certificate details (standard or wildcard), and etc. Once you have went                       through/reviewed all the necessary tab, select "review + create" to create your web app.

       5. Bind the Certificate to Your App Service:

• • Navigate to the App Service app you want to secure.
  • In the left-hand menu, select "certificates” under the "settings."

     

  • Here, you will find options like "Private Key Certificates (.pfx)" or "Public Key Certificates (.cer)"
  • In the managed certificates pane, select + add certificate.
  • To learn more about adding and managing a TLS/SS: certificate, please visit: Install a TLS/SSL certificate for your App - Azure App Service | Microsoft Learn

Conclusion

Purchasing an SSL certificate is a crucial step in securing your website and protecting your users' data. Whether you opt for a standard SSL certificate or a wildcard SSL certificate, the benefits of encryption, authentication, and data integrity are invaluable. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure a secure and trustworthy online presence for your website.