Security Monitoring and Compliance

Certificate security extends beyond initial implementation to ongoing monitoring for vulnerabilities and compliance with evolving standards. Regular security assessments identify weaknesses before attackers exploit them. Monitor for weak cipher suites, deprecated protocols, and misconfigurations that might have been secure when implemented but no longer meet current standards. Security requirements evolve constantly, making periodic reviews essential.

Implement automated security scanning using tools like SSL Labs' API, testssl.sh, or commercial vulnerability scanners. Schedule weekly or monthly scans depending on your security requirements and rate of change. Configure scanners to check protocol support, cipher suite strength, certificate chain validity, and implementation vulnerabilities. Establish baseline security scores and alert on degradation. Track scan results over time to identify trends and ensure continuous improvement.

Certificate Transparency (CT) monitoring has become crucial for detecting unauthorized certificates issued for your domains. Monitor CT logs for any certificates containing your domains, as fraudulent certificates could enable man-in-the-middle attacks. Services like Facebook's CT Monitor, Cert Spotter, or Google's Certificate Transparency Search provide alerts when new certificates appear. Investigate unexpected certificates immediately, as they might indicate compromise attempts or shadow IT activities.

Compliance requirements increasingly specify SSL/TLS configurations beyond basic encryption. PCI DSS mandates specific protocol versions and cipher strengths. HIPAA requires appropriate encryption for health data transmission. Industry standards like NIST guidelines provide configuration recommendations. Map your certificates to relevant compliance frameworks and ensure configurations meet all applicable requirements. Document compliance status in your certificate inventory to simplify audit responses.