How SSL/TLS works
When a browser connects, client and server negotiate a TLS version and cipher suite. The server presents a digital certificate issued by a trusted certificate authority, which the client validates to confirm the server's identity.
The two sides then agree on session keys using key exchange, and all further data is encrypted and integrity-protected. This prevents eavesdroppers on the network from reading or silently modifying traffic. Certificates expire, and expired or misconfigured ones cause outages and browser warnings that teach users to click through errors, so lifecycle management is as important as the encryption itself.
Why it matters for Canadian organizations
Without TLS, passwords, form data and personal information cross networks in readable form. Encryption in transit is a baseline safeguard for any website, API or email service that handles sensitive data.
PIPEDA requires safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of personal information, and Law 25 and sector rules expect similar protection. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security publishes guidance on approved TLS configurations, which many organizations use as a reference. Customers also notice warnings quickly, so a lapse can damage trust in addition to creating a technical gap, particularly for online payment, patient portal and banking services.
How to implement it
Use TLS 1.2 at minimum and prefer TLS 1.3. Disable SSL and older TLS versions, remove weak ciphers, and redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS with HSTS enabled.
Automate certificate issuance and renewal so certificates never expire unnoticed, protect private keys, and scan your public services regularly for misconfigurations. Apply TLS to internal services and email as well, not just public websites. Review internal systems that still use self-signed certificates or old protocols, because these are frequently overlooked and are where interception risk persists inside the network.
Frequently asked questions
Is SSL the same as TLS?
Not exactly. TLS is the successor to SSL, and all SSL versions are deprecated and insecure. People still say SSL certificate out of habit, but modern HTTPS connections use TLS, ideally version 1.2 or 1.3. Encryption does not protect data at rest.
What does HTTPS have to do with TLS?
HTTPS is HTTP running over a TLS-encrypted connection. The padlock in a browser indicates that TLS is in use and the site's certificate was validated, though it does not prove the site itself is trustworthy. Both are part of normal web operations.
Does TLS protect data stored on a server?
No. TLS protects data while it moves between systems. Stored data needs separate protection such as disk or database encryption, access controls and key management. Good security combines encryption in transit with encryption at rest. Strong configuration matters for safe use.
Related service: Security consulting