certifikatlivslängd

Certifikatlivslängd refers to the duration for which a digital certificate, such as a TLS/SSL certificate, is considered valid. This period is defined by the certificate's issue date and its expiration date. Once a certificate expires, it is no longer trusted by browsers, operating systems, or other software that relies on its validity. This can lead to security warnings for users and prevent them from accessing secure websites or services.

The length of a certificate's lifespan is determined by the certificate authority (CA) that issues it. Historically, certificate lifespans were quite long, often several years. However, security best practices and industry trends have led to a reduction in these lifespans. Shorter lifespans are generally preferred because they increase the frequency with which certificates are renewed. This renewal process allows for the re-verification of the certificate holder's identity and ensures that cryptographic algorithms used are up-to-date, mitigating the risk of compromised keys or outdated security standards.

Key factors influencing certificate lifespan include the type of certificate, the issuing CA's policies, and regulatory requirements. For example, Extended Validation (EV) certificates, which undergo a more rigorous verification process, might have different lifespan considerations compared to Domain Validation (DV) certificates. The ongoing shift towards shorter lifespans, often around 90 days for publicly trusted TLS certificates, is a significant trend aimed at enhancing overall digital security and trust in online communications. This also places a greater emphasis on automated certificate management systems.