Securing your application hosted on Windows Server is an essential step to ensure that all communications between VergeCloud and your server remain encrypted and protected. Installing an SSL certificate in Internet Information Services, or IIS, enables HTTPS traffic. This not only safeguards sensitive data but also helps improve user trust and enhances the credibility of your application.
SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a standard technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a client browser. When you install an SSL certificate on your Windows Server, it encrypts data transmitted between VergeCloud and your server, preventing attackers from intercepting sensitive information such as login credentials, API keys, and other confidential data. Without HTTPS, any data sent over the network could be exposed to malicious actors, putting your organization and users at risk.
This guide focuses on using VergeCloud SSL certificates, though the steps are largely similar if you already have an SSL certificate from another provider. VergeCloud allows you to generate Origin SSL certificatesdirectly from the SSL/TLS section of your dashboard. Once generated, these certificates can be converted into a format compatible with IIS and installed to ensure secure communication between your server and VergeCloud services.
The first step is to obtain a valid SSL certificate and its corresponding private key. You have two options: either use an existing SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority or generate a new one directly from VergeCloud. If generating from VergeCloud, navigate to the SSL/TLS section and locate the Origin Server tab. Follow the instructions to create a new certificate and private key pair.
It is important to store the private key securely because anyone with access to it could potentially impersonate your server. Make sure it is saved in a location with restricted access and avoid sharing it over unprotected channels. Read more about how to generate Origin SSL.
Once the PFX file is ready, you can import it into IIS. Open the IIS Manager on your Windows Server, select the server name in the left-hand panel, and click on the Server Certificates option. In the right-hand Actions panel, click Import. Browse to the PFX file you created, enter the password you set during export, and complete the import process.
After importing, the certificate will appear in the list of available server certificates, ready to be used for binding to specific websites hosted on IIS.
The next step is to bind the imported SSL certificate to your website. In IIS Manager, navigate to the Sites section and select the site you want to secure. Click on Bindings, then choose either Add or Edit an existing HTTPS binding. From the dropdown menu, select the SSL certificate you imported and save your changes.
This step ensures that all incoming HTTPS requests to your site are encrypted and handled securely using the configured certificate.
To enforce secure connections, it is recommended to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. You can achieve this using the IIS Rewrite Module. Add the following configuration to your web.config file in the root directory of your site:
This ensures that visitors accessing your site via HTTP are automatically redirected to the secure HTTPS version.
After installation, it is important to test the SSL configuration to ensure it is working correctly. You can use OpenSSL to verify the connection with the following command:
Private key security is critical. Always store the PFX file in a secure location and restrict access to only authorized personnel. Keep the password for the PFX file confidential.
SSL certificates from VergeCloud expire every ninety days. After renewal, repeat the conversion and binding process to avoid service disruption. Regularly monitor certificate expiration dates and plan renewals ahead of time.
Finally, consider enabling HTTP Strict Transport Security, or HSTS, to enforce HTTPS at the browser level. This provides an additional layer of security by instructing browsers to only connect to your site over HTTPS.
Installing an SSL certificate in IIS is a vital step for securing your application and protecting user data. By carefully preparing the certificate and private key, converting to PFX format, importing into IIS, binding to your site, enforcing HTTPS redirection, and validating the installation, you create a secure environment for all communications between VergeCloud and your server. Following these steps and maintaining good security practices will ensure long-term protection and compliance with modern security standards.