If you are using a SAN SSL certificate on several servers, you will have to deal with the complexity that is not required if you are using a SAN SSL certificate on a single server. One SAN certificate can be used for multiple different domains, which may be on different servers or infrastructure, so it is important to carefully plan for consistent and error-free deployment. If not done properly, businesses can end up with misconfigurations that result in warnings on the browser or even security issues in some of their domain portfolio. By adhering to best practices in SAN SSL deployment, organizations can steer clear of these challenges and maximize the flexibility of the SAN certificate.
Ensure that the Centralized Inventory of Covered Domains is kept up to date.
It is important for businesses to have a current and accurate list of all domains that are contained in a SAN ssl certificate and the servers that it is hosted on before deploying a SAN certificate. This inventory is crucial for troubleshooting and to make sure that no domain is left without a certificate installed.
Reduce the number of components to be installed. Or Automate the installation process.
It is possible that a single SAN certificate could be installed on several servers, so having the same procedure for installing the certificate reduces configuration mistakes. Having a documented and repeatable process will help to be consistent, especially if the team members or departments are responsible for different servers in the organization.
Carefully secure Private Key Distribution.
If the private key is compromised, the more servers that have it the more it can affect. Secure transfer techniques should be used and the private key should be accessible only to the business and authorized people who are responsible for configuring the server.
After installing the software, test each server separately.
All servers will have the same SAN certificate, but each installation will need to be tested separately to ensure that it is configured correctly. When installing on multiple servers, there may be differences in server software or settings that can cause installation problems that may not have been observed if only one server were tested in the rollout.
Renewal and Reissuance of Plans around all covered domains
If the time for renewing/reissuing a SAN certificate arrives, all the domains and servers covered by the certificate must be renewed/reissued at the same time. It’s important for businesses to have a coordinated renewal plan ahead of time, so that they don’t end up with some certificates being renewed and others being left to run on an outdated version.
Conclusion
While the deployment of SAN SSL across several servers can be very efficient, it is not as efficient as it can be if it is planned and executed carefully. Having a centralized domain inventory, consistent installation procedures, private key distribution, testing individual servers and coordinating renewals across all domains covered all help to ensure a smooth and error-free deployment. By adhering to these best practices, organizations can reap the benefits of SAN SSL without any additional security concerns.
