Page 6 - The Bureau - Cyber Security Awareness e-book.indd

A https:// Web address requires a
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Certifi cate
which comprises a series of small

digital files that bind a cryptographic
key to an organisation’s details.
When installed on your Website and
server, it activates the padlock icon in
the browser address bar and the
https:// protocol to initiate a secure
session with browsers. Once a secure
connection is established, all Web visitors
to that Website and any interaction and
email enquiries from it will be secure.

When a SSL certificate is installed on a Website, the application protocol displayed as http://
will upgrade to https:// to indicate that the Website and Domain can prove its authenticity and
has gone through a validation process to prove that it is genuine.

Google likes sites with a https:// prefix and will give each extra brownie points and a higher

ranking. Google sees the https:// symbol as proof that the firm is taking Website security
seriously and will prefer that site to one with a standard http:// address.

The Bureau is recommending that all its customers purchase an SSL Certificate to raise their
online credibility and data protection position in front of their customers, suppliers, ICO, FCA,
and SRA regulators whilst earning another few brownie points at Google and Bing.

The process of applying for an SSL Certifi cate and https:// address status is very
straightforward. Today it is very easy to set-up an SSL certifi cate and https:// browser

address which for existing customers is a matter of embedding the certificate into the
Website’s Webspace and Hosting platform.