At any information security training facility there are a number of things that you are going to learn and one of the important areas is the understanding of the SSL or Secure Sockets Layer. You’ve heard it before, undoubtedly, but what is it exactly? What bearing does it have on information technology as we know it? Why it is so critical to an information security degree? The answer might not be quite as simple as you think, but we’re going to do our best to explain it.
Introducing SSL – An Information Systems Security School Essential
SSL is a security standard for the establishment of an encrypted link. The link we’re talking about of course is the one that exists between a server and a client, which can include the following:
- Web Server to Web Browser
- Game Client to Game Server
- E-mail Client to E-mail Server
We’re not just talking about standard Port 80 interactions here; the SSL encryption can be applied to many different situations. Generally you will find that some of the most protected information in any industry includes credit card numbers, social security numbers, login credentials, etc. The idea is to keep the data encrypted or protected as it is being transmitted through various nodes, ensuring that someone in between the two points will not be able to intercept it and view the contents.
Understanding SSL Certificates
The most important part of the process is known as the SSL certificate, which has a very specific job. First of all, SSL certificates work in a pair: public key and private key. These keys are designed to work together in order to establish an encrypted connection. The certificate contains a ‘subject’ which is just the identity of the certificate owner. The certificate is generated by the owner by creating a Certificate Signing Request, and it is satisfied by sending a CSR data file to the certificate issuer. The issuer is known as the certificate authority, and the CA will use the CSR data file to build a data structure that matches the private key. Keep in mind that the Certificate Authority will never actually see the private key.
The SSL Certificate is installed on your server along with an intermediate certificate that examines your actual SSL Certificate to determine validity.
The Connection
The SSL connection is used by the end user but that are more often than not quite oblivious to it. When the user browses to a website that is secured by SSL, the server and browser establish an SSL connection, performing a handshake, and then they get to work with the keys. In an SSL connection there are three different keys that come into use which include:
- Private Key
- Public Key
- Session Key
Anything that has been encrypted by the public key can be decrypted by the public key, but after that it becomes a bit more complicated. Now you know the basics of SSL encryption, and you can clearly see why it is an essential part of information security training.
As you can see, information technology security training has quite a bit to offer you once you finish our classes and find yourself fin the real world. There are many companies right now hiring security experts, and once you complete your schooling you may be a force to be reckoned with in the industry. You will help to make networks far safer, and it won’t be long before you find yourself in a lucrative career. Now would be a great time for you to start looking into the different opportunities, including the educational opportunities offered by ITI Technical College. If you’re finding yourself in a rough spot where finances are concerned, don’t worry! Our extensive financial aid program will get you covered and ready to head to class. It’s time to expand your horizons and join the IT security industry.
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