Digital certificate lifespans are rapidly shrinking across the industry, with major browsers leading a push toward 90-day maximum validity periods. This significant change requires organizations to fundamentally rethink their certificate management strategies.

The shift toward shorter certificate lifespans is driven by enhanced security requirements:

• Shorter validity periods reduce the risk window for compromised certificates
• More frequent renewals improve crypto agility
• Major browsers, led by Google Chrome, are actively pushing for 90-day maximum terms
• Similar reductions are occurring across different certificate types, including S/MIME and root certificates

Key Challenges for Organizations:

• Increased frequency of certificate renewals
• Higher risk of service outages from expired certificates
• Need for automated management solutions
• Greater complexity in certificate tracking and replacement

Essential Preparation Steps:

1. Discovery: Create complete visibility of all certificates across networks
2. Automation: Implement automated lifecycle management systems
3. Accountability: Establish clear ownership and responsibility structures
4. Policy: Develop streamlined certificate request and approval processes

Best Practices for Adaptation:

• Engage actively with Certificate Authorities
• Implement automated renewal systems
• Maintain comprehensive certificate inventory
• Develop clear lifecycle management procedures
• Stay informed about industry changes and requirements

Organizations must act now to prepare for this inevitable change. While the exact timeline for 90-day certificates remains uncertain, the trend toward shorter validity periods is clear and irreversible. Success requires moving from manual processes to automated solutions that can handle increased renewal frequencies while maintaining security and preventing outages.

The transition to shorter certificate lifespans represents both a challenge and an opportunity for organizations to strengthen their security posture and improve their certificate management processes. Those who prepare early will be better positioned to maintain strong cyber resilience and adapt to future changes in the digital security landscape.

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