Best practices for effective implementation of private Certificate Authorities (CAs)

Certificate authorities (CAs) enhance trust and security throughout the modern digital landscape. These respected entities issue and manage digital certificates, which, in turn, verify website identities and encrypt communication.

Many people are familiar with public CAs, which can help to secure websites by issuing SSL/TLS certificates to requesting entities. While public CAs are extremely valuable for most businesses, modern certificate authorities can also address broader security needs beyond external websites.

One option that deserves consideration at the enterprise level: private certificate authorities, which hold great potential for securing internal networks. Keep reading to discover the benefits of private CAs — and to learn what it takes to implement them effectively.

Private CA defined

Private certificate authorities help organizations to issue certificates and manage digital permissions for internal purposes. Designed for use within a controlled environment, these purpose-driven CAs allow organizations to set customized policies and validation standards. Often referred to as 'enterprise-specific' CAs, they are tailored to meet the unique needs of individual organizations.

One of the primary functions of a private CA is to ensure that only authorized devices can access secure resources like Wi-Fi networks and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). By validating device credentials, these CAs play a central role in preventing unauthorized or unapproved devices from gaining access.

Benefits of private CAs for today's enterprises

There is much to appreciate about the protection afforded by public CAs — but this solution is not ideal in every situation. Some enterprises have specific organizational needs that can only be met through internal, highly customized certificate management.

Previously, however, some leaders have resisted private CAs due to concerns about implementation or affordability. The good news? As technology has advanced, these issues have largely been resolved.

Private CAs have come a long way in recent years, and at this point, this setup should be far from intimidating. Promising rapid deployment, private CAs can be surprisingly easy to implement. Sectigo, a leading certificate authority, offers cloud-native private CA solutions, eliminating the need to rely solely on the strictly on-premises CAs of the past.

Affordability is a key concern, and thankfully, today's private CAs are more cost-effective than their predecessors. Cloud-native solutions have resolved the previously high upfront cost of implementing private CAs, which once called for extensive physical infrastructure. Significant savings are possible for enterprises who process a high volume of certificate requests.

The decision to use a private CA

Many factors influence the decision to use a private CA. Often, this centers around a desire for customization, including specific parameters for expiration timelines or identity verification standards. This can aid in integration efforts, ensuring that CAs are fully integrated and aligned with existing enterprise systems.

Private CAs may also be regarded as a top solution for replacing Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), which, despite offering a built-in option for managing digital certificates, presents numerous limitations. Efficiency-minded leaders are increasingly concerned about the manual processes that accompany AD CS. While it does offer auto-enrollment for select functions, it still frequently calls for manual certificate renewal and management, which significantly increases the risk of human error.

AD CS is also problematic from an integration standpoint. While it works well within Microsoft's ecosystem, integrating with other platforms can be challenging. This — combined with the reliance on on-premise infrastructure — can limit agility, which can be problematic for enterprises seeking to embrace the power of cloud computing. These limitations, stemming from a root CA such as Microsoft, can lead to productivity issues in the future. Opting for an alternative root certificate issuer serves as a proactive step toward greater flexibility and scalability.

A private CA can function as an effective alternative to AD CS, promising platform independence along with enhanced flexibility, scalability, and cloud compatibility. With private CAs, it is possible to automate certificate management and unlock a whole new level of efficiency and reliability.

Use cases abound but often relate to enterprise-specific compliance or security concerns. Device authentication is a common concern, especially given the shift to remote and hybrid work arrangements — and the prevalence of bring your own device (BYOD) in the modern workplace, not to mention the variety of IoT devices (Internet of Things) that also require SSL/TLS certificates. In software development and DevOps, private CAs can automate certificates for critical containers or pipelines.

Private CAs are particularly valuable in industries with stringent compliance requirements, such as healthcare for securing patient data, or finance for protecting sensitive transactions. They also play a critical role in managing IoT devices, ensuring secure communications across a growing number of connected endpoints.

Finding the right private CA

Choosing to implement a private CA is only the beginning. Finding the right CA is just as important. The ideal private CA partner will offer in-depth guidance, helping clients overcome the confusion that once accompanied private CAs. This should include support during the implementation process, including in-depth insight into potential technical or compliance challenges. Additional support may be needed to ensure that the private CA is seamlessly integrated within the existing IT framework, and that all endpoints are secure.

Sectigo offers private CA services, providing an accessible way to secure digital certificates while also adhering to stringent compliance requirements. The Sectigo Certificate Manager (SCM) platform can augment or even entirely replace legacy solutions like AD CS, delivering advantages such as enhanced security, automation, and extensive customization through a variety of different templates. As a CA-agnostic platform, Sectigo enables seamless integration with other private CAs, including Amazon’s AWS Private Certificate Authority, and offers single pane of glass management for all digital certificates across the enterprise environment.

Planning for private CA implementation

Careful planning is crucial to ensure seamless private CA implementation. This begins with clearly identifying the reasons for adopting a private CA. Organizations must understand their specific use cases and reveal how these scenarios will play out once a private CA is implemented.

Next, conduct a comprehensive audit to gain insights into the current security infrastructure, along with certificate management processes. This step will help identify where digital certificates are being used, where they are needed, how they are currently provisioned, and how renewal is managed.

The audit results should highlight gaps or inefficiencies, such as limitations in existing systems like AD CS, and reveal areas where a private CA can enhance protection—for instance, securing internal networks, specific devices, or proprietary applications. Early planning should also outline the scope of the private CA, including the expected certificate volume, potential compliance requirements, and preferences for cloud-based or on-premises setups. Use this information to determine the necessary infrastructure for the chosen private CA solution.

Developing a phased implementation plan

Some disruptions are to be expected during the implementation process, but these can be minimized with gradual and carefully planned integrations. This may involve dividing the implementation process into several targeted phases. A goal-oriented approach is critical, with each phase focusing on specific objectives. Typical phases may include designing the private CA, installing necessary software, configuring settings, and integrating the new solution seamlessly into the existing infrastructure.

Be mindful of resource allocation, ensuring that enough highly skilled team members are available to streamline the integration effort. Implementation also calls for sufficient technical resources (including network resources) and oversight from compliance teams to maintain alignment with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Be sure to get stakeholders involved, communicating plans to IT, security, compliance, and management teams to ensure that private CA implementation aligns with overarching organizational objectives. Communication should also involve the private CA vendor, which can provide valuable insight and assistance throughout the entire implementation process.

Best practices for overcoming common challenges in private CA implementation

Private CA implementation does not need to feel overwhelming, but some challenges are to be expected. Planning and due diligence should make these easier to address, especially when supported by the right private CA vendor.

• Complexity and management overhead : Challenges related to complexity and management overhead may present themselves during private CA implementation, particularly in transitioning from legacy systems like AD CS. Addressing these issues could require streamlining CA architecture and providing training to equip teams with the necessary skills for managing the new system.

• Scalability issues : Solutions such as AD CS are notoriously difficult to scale, but many private CAs, like Sectigo, are purposefully designed to promote scalability. If possible, select a solution that will easily accommodate growing volumes of devices and certificates. Consider whether augmenting AD CS with a private CA provider will be sufficient — or whether it may be necessary to replace AD CS completely.

• Lack of automation : With manual certificate issuance and renewals, there is a strong risk of human error which can lead to potentially devastating outages. Expired certificates could prompt unacceptable operational delays or service disruptions. These issues are best avoided by seeking a fully automated system that streamlines the entire certificate lifecycle management (CLM) process, including issuance, deployment, renewal, and revocation. This should be supplemented by alerts related to key events across the digital certificate lifecycle.

• Integration limitations : Many enterprises struggle to integrate existing infrastructure with cloud-based solutions. Legacy systems (such as AD CS) are, unfortunately, not particularly adaptable. Therein lies the need for private CA solutions that promote seamless integrations. If possible, leverage APIs to drive seamless communication between the private CA and other systems.

• Technical expertise required : Specialized knowledge may be needed to get a private CA up and running, but this is often lacking — especially among smaller enterprises. This is where experienced vendors can prove especially valuable. The best solutions will offer robust support every step of the way.

• Regulatory compliance : When strict data protection and privacy standards exist, compliance must be top of mind. Confirm that all policies and procedures align with regulatory guidelines — and look to experienced vendors for assistance while navigating compliance concerns.

Effective approaches for certificate management

Automated CLM can make a significant difference when implementing a private CA solution by dramatically reducing the administrative burden associated with manual certificate management.

As the industry moves toward shorter certificate validity periods, such as the proposed 47-day lifespans, automation becomes increasingly critical. Sectigo’s solutions are designed to handle the complexities of frequent renewals, ensuring organizations remain secure and operational without manual intervention.

Before proceeding with implementation, consider: which areas of the existing IT infrastructure will benefit most from enhanced certificate management?

Ensuring scalability and flexibility

Scalable infrastructure is paramount, and ensuring scalability begins with designing infrastructure that acknowledges the potential for future growth, anticipating increased certificate volumes as the organization expands.

Not just any vendor can provide the right blend of scalability and flexibility. Comprehensive features are crucial, as these help enterprises adjust their approach based on their unique needs and priorities. Ideally, the provider will also have a proven track record with successful private CA implementations across enterprises large and small.

Strategic planning for effective implementation

The right private CA could boost security, efficiency, and compliance — but strategic selection is essential. When chosen carefully, a private CA can provide enterprises with an excellent opportunity to augment or even replace legacy systems like AD CS.

Sectigo’s private CA solution brings elevated security and agility to forward-thinking enterprises. With integration for AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) via the Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) protocol, Sectigo ensures seamless certificate lifecycle management. Get in touch today to learn more about private CA solutions or to book a demo and see SCM in action.

Want to learn more? Get in touch to book a demo of Sectigo Certificate Manager!

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What is a Private CA? How to manage internal certificates

Certificate Authorities: What They Are & Why They’re Important