What you need to know…

We all want to make sure that the information we put out on the internet is secure, and we want to make sure the websites we visit and engage with are secure as well. Most websites today are transactional and store credit/debit card information and log in information. For these purposes, an SSL certificate, otherwise known as Secure Sockets Layer, has become mandatory for all websites. For a website to function properly, the web browser and server must communicate, and the SSL certificate allows encryption for each website session so any information remains secure and protected.

You may have already seen the effects of a mandate that Google implemented at the end of 2017 and has been following through with throughout 2018. This mandate requires all websites beginning with “http://” to have an SSL certificate or they will essentially be flagged. The effect of this is that when you visit a website and it doesn’t have an SSL certificate, a “not secure” will be displayed in the browser to the left of the url warning web visitors. It has also been reported that not having an SSL certificate will negatively affect a website’s SEO (search engine optimization) ranking.

In conclusion…

If you want your website to remain secure and to keep information private and safe, then get that SSL certificate. If you want to avoid the threat of hackers and an SEO penalty from Google, then get that SSL certificate. If you want visitors to your website to keep returning and engaging with your brand, and if you want them to feel secure on your website and to see your website as credible, then get that SSL certificate! Don’t delay as this mandate is in full effect. Here’s to a safe and secure digital world!