Nixon Digital

Cipher Suites: Going Beyond SSL Certificates for Secure Connections by Marcel van Rijn

Cipher Suites: Beyond SSL for Secure Connections

In today’s digital landscape, web security is more than just importantit’s essential. While many organizations understand the need for SSL certificates to secure their websites, real security goes further than just installing an SSL certificate. Server configurations and, more specifically, the cipher suites used are equally important in protecting your website from potential attacks.

What are Cipher Suites?

A cipher suite is a set of algorithms used to establish an encrypted communication channel via the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol. TLS, which succeeded SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), combines different cryptographic algorithms to ensure secure data transmission between a server and a client. 
 
A cipher suite typically consists of four main components: 
1. Key Exchange Algorithm – Determines how keys are securely exchanged. 
2. Bulk Encryption Algorithm – Ensures the actual encryption of data. 
3. Message Authentication Code (MAC) Algorithm – Verifies the integrity of the transmitted data. 
4. TLS Version – The version of the TLS protocol in use. 
 
Together, these components define how secure the connection really is. 

Why is This a Problem?

Not all cipher suites are created equal. Some older or weaker cipher suites have vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. A common issue is the continued support of outdated TLS versions, such as TLS 1.0 or 1.1, which are no longer considered secure. Using these weak suites exposes your website to serious security risks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks.

How Can You Validate This?

Fortunately, there are tools available to help you check which cipher suites your server is using and whether they’re secure. Some of the most commonly used tools include: 
 
– Qualys SSL Labs: This popular tool provides a detailed report on your server’s SSL/TLS configuration. 
– OpenSSL: A command-line tool that allows you to inspect the cipher suites used. 
– Nmap: A network scanning tool that can also detect TLS versions and cipher suites. 
 
These tools can help identify weak points and highlight areas where your web security needs improvement. 

The Bigger Problem for Multiple Websites

If you manage a single website, you can perform these checks manually. But what if you have 5 websites? Or 25? How do you maintain oversight if you’re managing dozens or even hundreds of websites across different domains and servers? 
 
In practice, we see that businesses with over 25 websites find it nearly impossible to perform these checks regularly by hand. And if you manage more than 100 websites, it’s practically impossible to monitor which cipher suites are being used manually. While many organizations rely on periodic security scans, let’s be honest—are these scans specifically checking for TLS versions and cipher suites? 

How the Nixon Platform Helps

This is where the Nixon platform becomes essential. The platform provides a centralized solution to monitor the security configurations of all your websites. With Nixon, you can easily see which TLS versions and cipher suites are being used and where the risks lie. 
 
Moreover, Nixon helps you identify your most critical websites—your ‘crown jewels’—so you know exactly where to prioritize your efforts. This makes it easier to take targeted actions without having to manually monitor each site.

Conclusion

Web security is not a one-time action—it’s an ongoing process. Ensure that you’re not only keeping your SSL certificates up to date but also regularly checking your cipher suites and TLS configurations. And if you manage multiple websites, consider using a solution like the Nixon platform to automate this process and identify vulnerabilities before they become a problem. 
 
Protect your digital crown jewels. Take a proactive approach to security and prevent issues before they arise. Interested in how Nixon can help you simplify your website security management? Contact one of our experts today to learn more. 

 

And while you’re here, try the Nixon Digital Tracker Checker: a free Chrome extension to check if your cookie banners and tracking practices are working right. While it doesn’t apply to dangling DNS, it’s a helpful tool to see if your consent settings are up to standard. You can install and try it, all within a minute.

If you’d like to learn more, schedule a meeting with one of our experts here.