The end of manual SSL certificate management: why your company can't afford to wait
October 10, 2025 | Jordi Genescà Prat
Certificados SSLSSL Enterprise
In today's digital ecosystem, SSL/TLS certificates are the foundation of trust on the Internet. They ensure that communication between users and servers is secure and that the identity of websites is verified.
However, the landscape is changing: starting in 2026, significant changes will reduce certificate validity until it reaches 47 days by 2029.
This means companies will have to renew their certificates almost monthly. Those that fail to adapt in time face serious consequences.
The risks of not adapting to the new SSL cycle
Shortening the certificate lifecycle is not just a technical shift—it's a test of digital maturity for organizations.
When a certificate expires, the browser displays a red warning: "Your connection is not private." At that point, the damage is already done.
- Loss of trust and customers:
84% of users abandon a website if they see a security warning. A single missed renewal can lead to thousands of lost visits and a direct drop in conversions or online sales. - Reputational damage:
Visible security errors harm your brand image. Even if the problem is resolved in a few hours, the perception of unreliability may last much longer. - Operational disruption and penalties:
An expired certificate doesn’t just block access to your site—it can also affect APIs, payment gateways, corporate emails or internal networks. In regulated sectors (like banking or e-commerce), failure to comply can result in penalties.
In short, every day without a valid certificate is a day of operational risk, economic loss and reputational harm.
Automation: the only sustainable solution
With renewal cycles this short, manual certificate management is no longer viable. Many companies still rely on spreadsheets, reminders or manual tasks to maintain their infrastructure. But with a 47-day model, that would mean up to 12 renewals per year per certificate.
Key benefits of automation
- Reduced human error:
Automated systems eliminate the risk of forgetfulness and misconfiguration, ensuring timely and consistent renewals. - Operational continuity:
Automation allows certificates to be renewed without service interruptions—even on weekends or holidays. - Scalability:
A single system can manage hundreds or thousands of certificates across different environments (web, API, IoT, cloud) without overwhelming the IT team. - Compliance and visibility:
Centralized dashboards offer full traceability, fast audits and automatic reports, reducing the compliance burden.
Automated lifecycle as a competitive advantage
Google, Apple and Mozilla have long supported this transition to drive automation and improve the global security of the web ecosystem.
An automated management model (CLM or Certificate Lifecycle Management) enables companies to stay ahead of regulatory changes and prepare for emerging threats—including quantum computing.
Adopting automation is not just a technical decision—it's strategic. Organizations that make the shift today will not only avoid risk but gain agility, digital trust and operational resilience.
Automating is protecting your business
The new 47-day SSL cycle leaves no room for improvisation. Companies that continue with manual management face an impossible scenario: more work, more errors, and more exposure to risk.
By contrast, choosing automation means gaining control, security and efficiency.
The question is no longer "When to automate?" but "How and with what tools?" Organizations that take this step now will be better prepared for the future of digital trust.
