Using SSL mode enables internet users to identify the owner of the website they are visiting, as well as confirming that this owner really existed on the date on which the certificate was issued and ensuring that data exchanged through the site is encrypted.
The main purpose of an SSL certificate is to authenticate the company that uses it. Authentication is performed by a reputable certification authority which issues keys to set up encrypted connections, in order to secure:
- Web pages,
- Forms that display or send sensitive or confidential data such as bank card numbers or private data (medical information, personal contact details, passwords etc.),
- Company data.
Using an SSL certificate ensures that all of this data is sent in a secure and encrypted environment. Setting up an SSL system will reassure web users and improve the efficiency of your website (form filling, online purchases etc.)
Another reason to install an SSL certificate is Article 34 from the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority – Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés), which states that IT professionals must secure databases and personal or financial data during transit.
This law states that the data processing manager is personally responsible for ensuring the security and confidentiality of data in order to uphold the privacy of the persons in question. It is therefore crucial to protect your data communications.