Why TLS upgrade
The upgrade to TLS 1.2 or higher marks a ground breaking progress on current security policy representing a major departure from the TLS and secure encryption socket layer (SSL) protocols. So the answer to, why TLS upgrade is crucial that updated version has been approved by the Internet Technology Task Force (IETF) to avoid the taking of bugs and flaws in other existing cryptography models. The TLS update offers a number of advantages including fast protocol streaming, secure primitives and enhanced speed and efficiency.
It’s been a priority for several e-commerce and Digital organisations being able to provide secure data storage and transmit information over the Internet without intrusion, modification and unauthorised use or downloading by anyone outside the intended recipient. Such issues have contributed to changes to many Internet security protocols.
What is TLS?
TLS is an acronym for transport layer security that refers to crypto-graphical protocols that provide secure communication over the Internet. For connectivity over a network computer, TLS simplifies data security and privacy. TLS has been built from SSL and is often sparingly used with TLS.
The hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) is a TLS crypting program that is built on top of the HTTP protocol on each web site and certain web services. The security encryption protocol for transport layer helps secure web applications, including DDoS attacks and data violations, from potential risks.
What if I don’t switch to TLS 1.2 or higher?
Not upgrading to latest TLS is that, you are placing the customers data at risk. The effects of not being a PCI complainant and experiencing a data breach can include penalties and the ability to process credit card transactions can be revoked.
Then, after a stipulated period, website services that needs to run TLS 1.2 or higher, the sites will be non-functional, hence affecting work, payment processing, shipping rates or other real-time data if TLS 1.2 is not implemented.
How can I tell if my site is SECURED?
You are mostly covered when using a host solution for your eCommerce site. But if you use a third party for a custom-built solution, then your security must be checked with the hosting provider of that solution if it is prone to vulnerability.
What Next ?
TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 protocols will be removed from browsers at the beginning of 2020. As there are no fixes or patches that can adequately fix SSL or deprecated TLS, it is critically important that organizations upgrade to a secure alternative as soon as possible.
Various Browser clients have provided approximate deadlines for disabling TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 protocol:
| Browser Name | Date | |
| Microsoft IE and Edge | First half of 2020 | |
| Mozilla Firefox | March 2020 | |
| Safari / Webkit | March 2020 | |
| Google Chrome | January 2020 |
Best practices outlined in RFC-7525 give reasons why it is discouraged to use protocol TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1. PCI-DSS recommends users to switch from protocol TLS 1.0 and adopt protocol TLS 1.2+.
Following table shows for each browser the percentage of connections made to SSL/TLS servers using protocol TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1:
| Browser/Client Name | Percentage (%) – Both TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.0 | |
| Microsoft IE and Edge | 0.72% | |
| Mozilla Firefox | 1.2% | |
| Safari/Webkit | 0.36% | |
| Google Chrome | 0.5% | |
| SSL Pulse November 2018 | 5.84% |
SSL Labs Grade Change
To encourage users to migrate to protocol TLS 1.2+ and remove protocol TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.0 from servers, SSL Labs will lower the grade for SSL/TLS servers which use TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.0.
TLS 1.0 Grade change date:
- A warning will be displayed for downgrading to grade “B” by end of September 2019
- Grade will be changed to “B” by end of January 2020
TLS 1.1 Grade change date:
- In Configuration->Protocols section “TLS 1.1” text color will be changed to Orange by end of November 2018
- A warning will be displayed for downgrading to grade “B” by end of September 2019
- Grade will be changed to “B” by end of January 2020
Existing Grades Sample
| Server Configuration | Grade | |
| TLS 1.2, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.0 + HSTS + No Warning + TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | A+ | |
| TLS 1.2, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.0 + HSTS + No Warning + No support for TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | A | |
| TLS 1.2, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.0 + HSTS + Warnings + No support for TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | A- |
Future Grades Sample
| Server Configuration | Grade | |
| TLS 1.2, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.0 + HSTS + No Warning + TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | B | |
| TLS 1.2, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.0 + HSTS + No Warning + No support for TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | B | |
| TLS 1.2, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.0 + HSTS + Warnings + No support for TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | B | |
| TLS 1.2 + HSTS + No Warning + TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | A+ | |
| TLS 1.2 + HSTS + No Warning + No support for TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | A | |
| TLS 1.2 + HSTS + Warnings + No support for TLS_FALLBACK_SCSV | A- |
References
- Modernizing TLS connections in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11 https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2018/10/15/modernizing-tls-edge-ie11/
- Removing Old Versions of TLS : https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2018/10/15/removing-old-versions-of-tls/
- Deprecation of Legacy TLS 1.0 and 1.1 Versions: https://webkit.org/blog/8462/deprecation-of-legacy-tls-1-0-and-1-1-versions/
- Modernizing Transport Security: https://security.googleblog.com/2018/10/modernizing-transport-security.html
- Recommendations for Secure Use of Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS): https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7525
Get Sysfore Cloud Managed Services For Your Enterprise
Sysfore, A Microsoft Cloud solution provider and a Gold Partner, uses leading network, technology, and service expertise to deliver our service anytime, virtually anywhere, quickly and efficiently. We have helped over 80 small enterprises and 30 mid-sized enterprises across the globe for a successful cloud migration in the past 8 years. Contact one of our experts today and we will help you find the perfect solution for your business. Write to us at info@sysfore.com or give us a call at +91 (80) 4110 5555.