The risk of getting hacked is increasing with time. According to statistics, 68% of businesses are in constant fear of being hacked. The stats speak volumes about the need for a robust IT policy to eliminate unauthorized access to business networks. More so because reports claim that every 39 seconds, there is a cyberattack happening. Installing an SSL certificate is the ideal solution to combat the situation.
The certificate will ensure the encryption of your data communication with the visitor is done efficiently. Moreover, it is important to ensure you are not marked as ‘not secure’ by web browsers resulting in a loss of trust by the end-users. Initially, installing SSL certificates on Exchange servers took a lot of work. However, it has become possible with the development of an Exchange SSL Certificate or Unified Communication Certificate (UCC).
Let us understand what an Exchange SSL Certificate is and how it works:
What is an Exchange SSL Certificate, and How Does it Work?
Microsoft Exchange server is one of the most widely used email hosting service providers in the world, which is used for sending and receiving emails by people. Therefore, a big part of the global email conversation takes place via Microsoft Exchange servers. So, when you send an email to someone, data travels from a particular Exchange server to someone else’s email server.
A lot of this data is confidential in nature and can severely impact the privacy of a person or an organization. Moreover, during data transmission, there is a risk of data tampering. To add to the woes, it was not easy to install an SSL certificate on the server until some time ago. Since it had widespread application, it had become important to protect the server.
With the help of an Exchange certificate, it has become more manageable. They are not just cost-efficient solutions, but most of them also exhibit compatibility with Exchange servers. Furthermore, with the application of 256-bit encryption with a 2048-bit RSA signature key, the certificate prevents data breaches.
Also known by the name of Exchange server or Subject Alternative Name certificates, what makes it a perfect match with Exchange servers is its exhibition of hassle-free compatibility with various services of Microsoft like Autodiscover, Outlook Web Access/App (OWA), webmail, etc.
On top of that, these certificates allow you to protect Microsoft’s multiple host services and secure numerous domains so that you, as an organization, need not purchase an individual certificate for each domain. Moreover, these exchange SSL certificates are cost-effective, helping you save significant money as it is all about one certificate. So, you can easily renew and manage certificates.
Let us give you an example:
Suppose your website is this- www.yourbusiness.com, and it uses other subdomains’ mail.yourbusiness.com’ and ‘smtp.yourbusiness.com.’ Then, with the help of an Exchange SSL certificate installed on the web server, you can secure them all.
Depending on your requirement, you can choose the validation level as the Microsoft Exchange SSL certificate sells Domain Validated SSL (DV), Organization Validated SSL (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates.
Now that we know what Exchange SSL Certificate is and how it works, let us learn more about its benefits:
What are the Benefits of Exchange SSL Certificates?
Microsoft services like Outlook can be hacked by cybercriminals, compromising sensitive data. However, with the help of Exchange SSL certificates, you can use Outlook with better protection. In the case of mobile users, they can connect to the Exchange via ActiveSync software that will allow you to send and receive emails over a protected environment and sync the data most of the mail server in clients trusted and exhibits compatibility with all versions of the Microsoft Exchange that includes Exchange 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019.
Some of the benefits Exchange Server Certificate offers are:
. Sense of Trust
Like any other SSL certificate, the Exchange SSL certificate also helps install a sense of reliability and trust in the client. It helps the client believe that the interaction is trustworthy and validates the MS Exchange server while facilitating a secure and discrete connection using outlook web access or application.
A certificate from a trusted third party, such as a Certificate Authority, offers the extra layer of trust as it is authenticated and validated by a reliable entity. The certificate could be added with additional security levels depending on your validation level.
. A single certificate Helps
Having one single certificate that caters to multiple domains and subdomains of an exchange server is always a convenient option. It saves the webmaster from the hassle of managing different SSL providers and keeps you from any upcoming renewals. It also makes requesting technical support easier as you have to talk to only one vendor.
Getting all the certificates from one vendor will establish a good relationship with them over time and could lead to better discounts during the renewal process.
. Warranty
If you purchase an Exchange SSL certificate from a renowned certificate authority, it will come with warranties that also assure toughened security for the Exchange server.
You can rest assured that the confidential data will not be subjected to breaching. Furthermore, the certificate will exhibit compatibility with all kinds of browsers and also be issued after proper validation check-ups.
These are the benefits of having an Exchange SSL certificate. So, get them soon!
Concluding Words
The risk that comes with the database is growing with each passing moment which is why it has become important for businesses to level up their security policy. The Exchange servers demand strict security levels that are only possible by executing the exchange server SSL certificate. It will not just prevent unauthorized access to the emails but also exhibit compatibility with all the renowned browsers present.
We all have heard about unprotected emails getting leaked; we can only guess how bad things could be. It is frightening, and you would never want to be the victim of one. Thus, it is always better to stay ahead and not give criminals any scope to access the data. By purchasing an exchange SSL certificate, you can step up your security game.
So, if you are yet to install an SSL on your Microsoft Exchange server, then maybe it is time you get one. You can get one from a third-party certificate authority or any reliable SSL provider and install it on your server.