SSL/TLS Certificate
- Cassandra Rinker
TLS (Transport Layer Security) and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) are Internet security protocols that are widely used to validate the identity of the website and to encrypt information sent to the server. Use an SSL certificate for:
Services that require users to authenticate
Services that display or ask the user to provide sensitive data
Confirming the authenticity of the web server
ITS participates in the InCommon Certificate Service, which entitles the campus to unlimited certificates for -.wvu.edu websites. Requests for other domains controlled by WVU colleges/departments are subject to extra vetting and approval, by both the University and InCommon. To be vetted and approved, the university unit must be able to make DNS (Domain Name Service) changes on the proposed domain to verify the university has positive control over the domain.
SSL/TLS certificates are signed by Sectigo, a trusted third-party Certificate Authority, and are currently valid for one year. It is expected that by the end of 2024 new certificates will be limited to 90 days (about 3 months) by the web browser industry. This change, should it go into effect, is outside the control of ITS, WVU, and InCommon.
You will receive an email letting you know before your certificate expires. Notices are sent 90, 60, 30 and the last 7 days prior to a certificate’s expiration. These thresholds will be adjusted if and when 90-day certificates go into effect.
The following types of certificates are available:
InCommon SSL: Single domain certificate.
InCommon Multi-Domain: Secures up to 100 different domain names on a single certificate. This is sometimes referred to as a “SAN” certificate.
Use the SSL/TLS Certificate form to submit a request.
Eligibility
Any WVU employee may request an SSL/TLS certificate. This service is ordinarily used only by IT support personnel. This service is not intended for personal use.
Cost
SSL/TLS certificates are provided as a common good to the campus. There is no direct cost to you or your college/department.
Related documentation