Today more businesses than ever are operating in the online world. For many, it’s the only area in which they transact. Confidential data, such as customer contact and banking details, are shared regularly. Just think about the data you provide when you purchase something online.
SSL Advantages and Disadvantages
- What is an SSL certificate used for?
- What are dedicated SSL certificates?
- Benefits of using a dedicated SSL certificate
- Is a dedicated SSL certificate worth it?
Today, security is more important than ever, and customers demand it. A data breach can irreparably damage a business brand. At the same time, hackers are working tirelessly to find ways to steal and capitalise upon data. In addition, more staff are working remotely, and critical business information is being transmitted via emails.
“Over the 2020–21 financial year, the ACSC received over 67,500 cybercrime reports, an increase of nearly 13 per cent from the previous financial year. The increase in volume of cybercrime reporting equates to one report of a cyber-attack every 8 minutes……..”
Australian Cyber Security Centre - Annual Cyber Threat Report 2020-21
What is an SSL Certificate Used For?
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates a website identity and enables an encrypted connection. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a security protocol that creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser. Once installed, all data is encrypted and can only be accessed by the intended recipient. It is a safety accreditation provided to websites to show their visitors that the site is secure and that any information provided will remain confidential. SSL certification protects against the efforts of hackers and cybercriminals. A padlock icon next to the URL in a web browser means the domain visited is SSL protected. Read here to find a more detailed explanation of SSL Certificates. 
Uses of SSL Certificates
Why do you need SSL certificates? If you have a website today, then it is likely that you will require an SSL certificate. So what is SSL used for? Fundamentally, it is used to ensure the secure handling of data. Since 2018 the interest in SSL certificates has grown significantly, with Google’s push to ensure that all sites use SSL certificates. Nowadays, you are likely to notice sites without SSL certificates being branded as not secure. A “Not secure” message on your site is bound to concern users and may leave them looking for an alternative. Why is SSL important for e-commerce? Customers using an online store provide a significant amount of data about their name, delivery address, preferred payment method, and credit card details. If you are running an e-commerce site, you must keep that data safe. Similarly, you may use SSL certificates to ensure that users’ login details are protected so profiles cannot be accessed or passwords hacked. SSL certificates may also be used to boost search engine ranking. Google gives ranking preference to those sites that demonstrate their use of SSL security. SSL certificates protect data. They also instil confidence among your users, boost SEO performance, increase site speeds, and help sites meet mandatory requirements set by regulatory bodies. Learn how SSL certificates can help grow your online business here. 
What are Dedicated SSL Certificates?
A dedicated SSL certificate is sometimes called a private SSL certificate. It shares all the benefits of SSL certificates. A dedicated SSL certificate is purchased for a specific domain name and will only work with that one specific domain. It is installed on the server where the domain's website resides. Users will only see your domain name instead of the host provider's name. There are two types of dedicated certificates:
- single domain
- wildcard
The single-domain dedicated certificate only works on a specific URL, while the wildcard can be used on the domain plus sub-domains.
Benefits of using a Dedicated SSL Certificate
A dedicated certificate is a sound choice if you are promoting your brand. It is configured on your site, while shared SSL certificates are configured on a hosting server domain. This may diminish their impact in terms of site authority. You can liken it to using Gmail rather than your own branded email address. If you are using dedicated SSL certificates, then data shared between your web browser and the webserver is safe and secure. Its encrypted form ensures that any outsider or third person (hackers) who wants to gain access without your permission fails. So this provides security to you, but it also provides confidence to your website users. Another benefit of a dedicated SSL certificate is that it can be established for up to one year, while a traditional or shared SSL certificate may require renewal every quarter.
Is a Dedicated SSL Certificate worth it for your website?
In the end, you have to weigh up the SSL advantages and disadvantages. A dedicated SSL certificate is more expensive. But it is easier to maintain. Users can contract to establish a dedicated SSL certificate for extended periods. In contrast, a shared SSL certificate will require more frequent renewal. Many people will select a shared SSL certificate because of its immediate convenience and cost. If you do not do a lot of business and are comfortable with your e-commerce web host, it might be acceptable to simply get a shared SSL certificate. This is also true if you are concerned with spending time securing the SSL certificate or if you want everything taken care of for you. However, if you want to build your company into something high profile, with significant sales revenues, spending the extra and getting the SSL certificate might be worth it. It is also clear that more people are becoming aware of the need for security in the online space, both users and website owners alike. A dedicated SSL certificate can provide both parties confidence that data security is being taken seriously. An SSL service can also be set up on email servers to encrypt all email details, including addressee details, the content of the email and any file attachments. As more people rely upon the online space to execute business, this type of protection becomes even more critical. Every business with a 'confidentiality' note at the bottom of their email is likely to have an SSL certificate for email enacted.
The question to address should not be “Is SSL worth it?” but rather “Should I buy Dedicated SSL Certificates?”.
Today, most businesses are less concerned about whether SSL certificates are important because they are crucial to your online presence. They are important for e-commerce and businesses that collect and share data online. To help you decide, find out more about your website security here.
