How a Certificate Manager Protects Small Businesses From Data Breaches


Published on December 04, 2023

Data breaches devastate small businesses. Recent research shows that 43% of all cyberattacks are aimed at small companies, which often lack the resources and expertise of larger enterprises. And only 14% of these small businesses are prepared to face these increasing attacks.

To join the ranks of security-conscious business owners, small businesses can enhance their security with a certificate manager. This tool is essential in protecting web-based properties ensuring sensitive data remains secure. Expired or vulnerable certificates can lead to data breaches, putting customer information and trust at risk.

A certificate manager streamlines SSL/TLS certificate management, making it affordable and efficient. By centralizing SSL/TLS certificate lifecycle management across all your web properties, a Certificate Manager closes security gaps and protects you against data breaches. This article guides you in selecting and implementing the right Certificate Manager, ensuring robust security for your customers’ data.

The Problem with Certificate Management

Digital certificates play a crucial role in securing your online data and communications. These certificates establish encrypted connections between your users and websites, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected from unauthorized access.

Managing multiple certificates across numerous domains and web properties can be challenging for small teams. Certificate expirations and human errors in the renewal process can undermine security. Limited resources and technical expertise make tracking, renewing, and installing certificates complex. Organized documentation for auditing is crucial, but for small IT teams, keeping track of renewal dates, issuing authorities, and cryptographic details across various certificates can become chaotic.

Use the Help of a Certificate Manager

A certificate manager centralizes all certificate lifecycles in one dashboard, automatically requesting, installing, and renewing all certificates on schedule. It issues alerts and streamlines an otherwise tedious manual process that is error-prone even for diligent IT staff. With an effective SSL certificate management tool like Sectigo’s Certificate Manager, you can focus on your core operations while maintaining robust encryption and safeguarding online data and communications.

Centralizing your certificate management also provides visibility that simplifies audits and allows you to meet compliance standards quickly.

Selecting the Right Certificate Manager for Effective Cybersecurity

Choosing the right certificate manager begins with understanding your specific cybersecurity needs. This involves:

  • Defining the number of certificates, integration requirements, and automation level.
  • Researching solutions and comparing features like centralized deployment/renewal, monitoring alerts, and reporting.
  • Shortlisting options that consolidate all certificates without workarounds.

Once you have your shortlist, test the demos of each option and consider ease of use, automation level, and pricing model, making sure all platforms are covered.

Begin implementation by integrating the manager within your existing infrastructure. Import all your existing certificates and set automated renewal workflows for them. Then, test that new certificates are issued smoothly. Also, you should train your staff on active monitoring alerts and how to handle auditing paperwork. You can also set up periodic reviews to assess the effectiveness of your certificate manager solution and stay updated with new features, security patches, and compliance requirements.

Secure Your Business From Cyberattacks With a Certificate Manager Today!

Deploying a certificate manager is vital to shield your small business from data breaches. It offers cost-effective security, central control for audits and compliance, and trust-building maintenance. Investing in this cybersecurity strategy ensures customer confidence and safeguards your business against data theft.

Newsdesk Editor