27, January 2021
How to easily transfer your TLS / SSL certificates to us
Have you ever considered switching SSL providers, but eventually refrained because it felt overwhelming? You are not the only one. But it is time to clear up the misunderstanding that the transfer needs to be cumbersome or time consuming. In this post, you will find out how easy it actually is for you to get better control of your SSL portfolio by becoming a customer with Abion.
The smooth transfer to Abion is a result of our well-proven work process. We always start with an analysis of your current situation and support needs.
These scenarios can usually be summarized in four different starting points.
- Your certificates come from a provider not affiliated with Abion (e.g., Global Sign, Let’s Encrypt, Entrust, GoDaddy or Sectigo)
- You have another IT partner managing your certificates
- Your certificates are provided by DigiCert
- You need help obtaining new certificates
Our work process
- Analysis
In consultation with you, we analyze your set of certificates. What certificates do you have today? From which providers? Do they have the right level of security and when do they expire? We summarize this, and much more, in a document with a recommended action plan for optimizing your certificate management. - Consolidation
With the action plan as a starting point, you now can start consolidating all your certificates with Abion as your main partner. By gathering all your certificates in one place, you ensure optimal overview and security. You can choose between administering the certificates yourself using a sub-account, or a managed solution where Abion takes full responsibility for the administration of your certificates. - Renewal
With our Multi Year Plan you can obtain certificates with a term of up to 6 years, during which Abion is responsible for renewing and validating the certificates annually. - Ongoing partnership and control
We provide smooth and secure certificate management, supervised by a dedicated contact person. In our customer portal you get comprehensive overview and control over all certificates with our customer portal Abion Core.
Common scenarios when transferring SSL certificates to Abion
We have extensive experience of handling transfers and consolidations of entire SSL portfolios, which means that we can ensure that most transfers will flow smoothly. Individual steps of the process can sometimes be lengthy, but once everything is set, you can rest assured that you will save time in the future.
What you will get
- A dedicated contact person
- Secure management of your certificates with comprehensive overview
- Opportunity to automate your certificate renewal
- All annual fees summarized in a collective invoice
The most common scenarios we encounter when moving SSL certificates to Abion:
Your certificates come from a provider not affiliated with Abion (e.g., Global Sign, Let’s Encrypt, Entrust, GoDaddy or Sectigo)
If you have a certificate from another provider, we replace it with a corresponding certificate issued with the same period of validity but obtained from our provider. This means no extra cost for you; we deduct the cost of any remaining validity if you just extend the certificate with an additional year through Abion. This is a convenient way to avoid unnecessary costs and time consuming efforts on your part. All that we require for providing this service is an advance payment of all future renewals.
If you prefer not to receive an advance invoice, we can instead monitor the due dates on existing certificates. Then we make sure that new corresponding certificates are issued well in advance of being required.
What we need from you in this scenario
- List of existing SSL certificates.
We can help you compile a list of public certificates. However, if you have non-public certificates, you need to provide us with a summary of these. - Approvals throughout all stages of the process.
Otherwise, no effort is required on your part. The transfer is carried out by our technicians, smoothly and worry-free.
You have another IT partner managing your certificates
In cases where you have an IT partner who handles your certificates, there are two different scenarios, which do not differ significantly from the others:
- Your IT partner manages you certificates from DigiCert
We monitor the due dates on existing certificates via DigiCert’s portal, meanwhile the management remains with your IT partner. When it's time for renewal, new certificates are set up through Abion. This is a convenient way to avoid unnecessary costs and time consuming efforts on your part. - Your IT partner manages you certificates from a provider not affiliated with Abion
We replace your current certificate, with a corresponding certificate issued with the same period of validity but obtained from our provider. This means no extra cost for you; we deduct the cost of any remaining validity if you just extend the certificate with an additional year with us. This is a convenient way to avoid unnecessary costs and time consuming efforts on your part. All that we require for providing this service is an advance payment of all future renewals.If you prefer not to receive an advance invoice, we can instead monitor the due dates on existing certificates. Then we make sure that new corresponding certificates are obtained well in advance of being required.
What we need from you in this scenario
- List of existing SSL certificates
We can help you compile a list of public certificates. However, if you have non-public certificates, you need to provide us with a summary of these. - Contact with your IT partner
You need to provide Abion with contact information to your current IT partner. - Approvals throughout all stages of the process
Otherwise, no effort is required on your part. The transfer is carried out by our technicians, smoothly and worry-free.
Your certificates are provided by DigiCert
You want to transfer certificates from DigiCert (GeoTrust, RapidSSL or Thawte) to Abion.
With DigiCert as the provider of certificates, the process may vary from case to case. If the transfer is approved by DigiCert it usually goes smoothly, and the administrative responsibility is transferred to Abion. The transfer takes 1-4 weeks and requires a minimal amount of work for you.
If DigiCert rejects the requested transfer, we instead monitor the due dates on existing certificates and obtain new certificates when required.
In our digital portal - Abion Core - you get comprehensive overview of your SSL certificates, including domain names, trade marks and hosting services that we manage for you.
What we need from you in this scenario
- List of existing SSL certificates
We can help you compile a list of public certificates. However, if you have non-public certificates, you need to provide us with a summary of these. - You are required to have your own login to DigiCert’s portal.
- Approvals throughout all stages of the process
Otherwise, no effort is required on your part. The transfer is carried out by our technicians, smoothly and worry-free.
You need help acquiring new certificates
Do you lack SSL certificates for your domains and want strategic advice on how to set up certificates? We can guide you through the various certificates we can obtain for you, taking into account the purpose of each domain name and site, and help you choose the validation and level of trust that will be best suited your business.
What we need from you in this scenario
- This scenario can be done without your effort and you donät have to spend more time than approving sub-steps. The move is carried out entirely by our technicians without you having to worry.
How the validation process works
It can be challenging to determine which certificate is appropriate for your organization, but don't worry, our Infographic will guide you.
No matter which scenario best describes your starting point, the validation process is always the same:
Domain Validated SSL Certificates (DV)
Suitable for: Small or medium level websites, blogs, internal applications.
Domain Validated certificates represent the lowest level of validation and are also the speediest certificate to issue. DV certificates only confirm the owner of a domain. A padlock appears in the URL field with the notification "Connection is secure".
One of its advantages is that Abion is already responsible for the domain's DNS management, so our technicians can handle the validation themselves. As our customer, no action is required of you.
The DV certificate is validated by the certificate authority, in our case DigiCert, who contacts the owner of the domain for approval of the order via email or by other means. This validation process usually only takes a few minutes.
Organization Validated Certificates (OV)
Suitable for: Sites with login functionality, e-commerce sites, apps.
Organization Validated certificates validate the identity of the organization, such as a company, a non-profit organization or a government organization. A padlock appears in the URL field with the notification "Connection is secure".
The validation process initially follows the steps for validating a DV certificate. The final verification is done by the certificate authority contacting the organization placing the order, using contact information independent of the domain name itself.
This validation process may possibly take up to 2 days, but usually only takes a few minutes.
Extended Validation (EV)
Suitable for: Major e-commerce sites, banks, main sites.
Extended Validation is considered the most secure validation. Like OV, it verifies the identity of the organization. However, EV represents a higher level of trust and requires stricter validation controls to meet the standard.
In addition to the padlock displayed in the URL field, the company to which the certificate is issued is also displayed.
The validation process for EV certificates initially follows the same steps as for DV and OV certificates. The final verification is done by the certificate authority contacting the organization placing the order, using a public telephone number.
This validation process may possibly take several days, but usually only takes slightly more time than validation of OV certificates.
Is Abion a potential partner?
By transferring your SSL portfolio into our management, you save time and effort and avoid unnecessary stress. You get a collective annual invoice, a dedicated contact person and you minimize the risk of your websites or applications going down.
Related reading
Key Takeaways from the “Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024”
