5 Common DIY PKI Mistakes To Avoid
The security concerns are increasing due to the rapid expansion of digital technology. Although it has many potential benefits by making every business process faster and efficient, there are many security risks. Therefore, every business needs a security protocol for the secure exchange of data.
In such a situation, Public Key Infrastructure is helping businesses to securely transfer digital information. With that in mind, many organizations have adopted PKI as a security solution for their enterprise.
Even though it’s quite easy to deploy, sometimes the “Do-It-Yourself” method can create severe business issues. Here you will learn about the five common DIY PKI mistakes and how to avoid them.
Common DIY PKI Mistakes To Avoid
Companies who install an in-house KPI tool in their business, they do it themselves. However, they need to aware of the following mistakes while installing the setup for their business.
1)Using Outdate Security Protocols
There have been many changes in the cryptography since the HTTPs was created. SSL (Security Sockets Layer) protocol was used to encrypt communications. However, there are many weaknesses of the SSL protocol which mandated more security. As a result, the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol evolved and is currently used for encrypting communications.
While installing the security protocols, it’s one of the common mistakes to use the SSL protocol. It’s better to use at least TLS 1.1 instead of the SSL protocol.
2)Using Too Short Security Keys
Another common mistake while installing a KPI system is using short security keys. There are two types of security keys, the public key and private key. The keys are used to secure the communication between two parties from cybercriminals. The pair of keys are required to decrypt the encrypted message.
However, a hacker can get the private key by two methods. One is by stealing, and another is guessing. Although it’s hard to guess a private key, it’s possible with a reverse algorithm.
Using a short key can make it easier for the hacker to guess. So using a long secure key is the best way to keep away from the potential hackers. The difficulty of a key depends on two factors the length and the bit size it takes to store the key.
3)Using Self-Signed Certificates
Keys are also called certificates that are issued by a trusted third-party authority called Certificate Authority. However, sometimes companies have to create their self-signed certificates. This certificate is for testing purposes, which is replaced by a more secure certificate by CA later.
If the test certificate is used frequently and externally, it can become a serious issue for the company. The self-signed certificates are not as sophisticated as issued by CA. Again, they are not securely stored and can be difficult to explore when required.
4)Not Storing The Keys Securely
Another common DIY PKI mistake is not storing the key securely. Generally, companies store these keys in a simple spreadsheet which are not encrypted. They can be easily accessed, and it’s one of the biggest mistakes that organizations make to their PKI system.
If hackers get this information, they can misuse it and steal sensitive information. They can trick the users into downloading malware by injecting it into the site. One of the secure ways to store these keys is using a Hardware Security Module.
5)Not Changing The Keys
Finally, it’s a good idea to change the security keys when you suspect someone has stolen the information. Changing the security keys may help you to keep it away from hackers.
You can also use an expiration date so that you can the certificates can be renewed often. For security purposes, the security keys and certificates must be changed even though there is no need to change the security keys.
The Final Words
These are some of the typical DIY PKI mistakes that you need to avoid to secure your sensitive data. Implement these security steps while installing a PKI solution on your own. Lastly, please share your queries and opinion in the comment sections.