👉Introduction
In modern web applications, security is a crucial factor. One of the key aspects of security is encrypting data transmission using SSL/TLS certificates. AWS provides AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) to simplify the process of provisioning, managing, and deploying SSL/TLS certificates in AWS services.
👉What is AWS Certificate Manager (ACM)?
AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) is a managed service that allows users to request, provision, and renew SSL/TLS certificates without the need for manual intervention. It enables secure communication over the internet by encrypting data between clients and servers.
đź‘ŚFeatures of ACM
Automated Certificate Management: ACM handles renewal, deployment, and revocation automatically.
Free Public Certificates: ACM provides free SSL/TLS certificates for use with AWS services.
Integration with AWS Services: Works seamlessly with Elastic Load Balancers (ELB), Amazon CloudFront, and API Gateway.
Private Certificate Issuance: ACM also supports issuing private certificates using AWS Private Certificate Authority (CA).
👉Types of Certificates in ACM
Public Certificates: Issued by AWS at no cost and can be used with AWS-integrated services.
Private Certificates: Managed by AWS Private CA, useful for internal applications.
Imported Certificates: Third-party certificates that can be manually uploaded to ACM.
How to Request an SSL/TLS Certificate in ACM
To request an SSL/TLS certificate in ACM:
Open the AWS ACM Console
Click on Request a Certificate
Choose Request a public certificate
Enter the domain names (e.g.,
example.com,www.example.com)Select a validation method (DNS validation or Email validation)
Review and submit the request
Validate the certificate using the selected method
Once validated, the certificate is issued and ready for use
Deploying ACM Certificates
Using Elastic Load Balancer (ELB):
Navigate to EC2 Dashboard > Load Balancers
Select your load balancer and go to the Listeners tab
Click Edit and select ACM Certificate
Choose the certificate and apply changes
Using Amazon CloudFront:
Navigate to CloudFront Console
Select a distribution and go to Edit Settings
Under SSL Certificate, choose an ACM certificate
Save changes to apply the certificate
Using API Gateway:
Open API Gateway Console
Select an API and navigate to Custom Domain Names
Attach an ACM-issued certificate
Renewing and Managing Certificates
ACM automatically renews public certificates before expiration.
For imported certificates, users need to manually renew and upload them.
You can track certificate status using the ACM Console or AWS CLI.
⚡Best Practices for SSL/TLS in ACM
Use DNS validation for automatic renewals.
Regularly monitor certificate expiration dates.
Use private certificates for internal applications to enhance security.
Implement AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall) along with SSL/TLS for better security.
🤷‍♂️ HOW TO CREATE SSL CERTIFICATE
Conclusion
AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) simplifies SSL/TLS certificate management by automating the issuance, deployment, and renewal processes. By leveraging ACM, organizations can enhance security and reduce operational overhead while ensuring encrypted communication for their applications and services.