Selecting an appropriate SSL Certificate for Exchange Server entails many critical implications for your business operations. Depending on how you choose, an SSL certificate will facilitate the smooth running of things in your office or bring them to a halt. However, having the right SSL certificate will give your customers’ transactions a strong footing due to the enhanced security and reliability of your servers. To achieve this, we have compiled helpful materials that will help you in the implementation an SSL/TLS security system in your organization’s Exchange Server.
But due to the limited scope of our discussion, we shall only explore the necessary information because exhausting every detail will require us to do a lengthy volume. Therefore, we welcome you to benefit from wise counsel, tools, and tutorials that will guide you in the process of moving towards enhanced SSL security in your company’s servers.
Here are some of Microsoft’s Exchange Server Versions
Let us start our journey by looking at some of the available exchange server versions that you can optimize to enhance the security of your company’s online presence on the Microsoft platforms. In this section of our guide, we shall examine these versions in their descending order starting from the oldest 2003 to the 2016 version. We have carefully selected tips that will guide you through all these versions so that you can get the best out of your servers.
- Microsoft Exchange 2003
Although it may seem to be an outdated version, we shall examine it because some organizations still use it, and hence, we do not want to lock them out of our guide. If you want to learn how to set up an SSL on Microsoft’s 2003 version, you can follow this link to get valuable information. For configuring a TSL encryption on the same version, follow this link to get more info to guide you.
- Microsoft Exchange 2007
Regarding the installation of an SSL certificate for Exchange Server 2007, it is necessary to run the Import–Exchange and Enable–Exchange Certificate commands after creating the Certificate Signing Request and getting your SSL certificate files. To get more details on using a certificate in Microsoft’s 2007 Server, follow this link here and this other link for Exchange 2007 SMTP SSL respectively.
- Microsoft Exchange 2010
Let us now shift our attention to the installation of an SSL certificate on the Microsoft Exchange 2010 Server. To install your SSL certificate for Exchange Server 2010, you will need to follow the same protocol as the previous ones we have covered. However, we have compiled these few links to give you valuable info in the installation of the certificate on the Exchange 2010 SMTP SSL or TSL Client Access on Microsoft and the configuration of SSLs and Exchange ActiveSync on Microsoft.
- Microsoft Exchange 2013/2016
We wind up this section with SSL Certificate for Exchange Server 2013 and SSL Certificate for Exchange Server 2016. To install your certificate on this platform, we have compiled a few resources that will guide you through the entire process. If you want to get more valuable information on Digital certificates and SSL and Exchange 2013 Certificate Management UI on Microsoft, you can follow the links we have provided.
Here are suggested Microsoft Exchange Server SSL Certificates
After covering the steps of installing your SSL on different Microsoft platforms, our focus shifts to some of the trusted SSL certificates and how to carry out the process of installing them on any Microsoft server.
- For a user seeking a certificate that will allow them to manage multiple sub-domains without hassles, Wildcard SSL is definitely the best bet
- For users looking for an SSL certificate that will serve their organizational needs well, the EV UCC/SAN Certificate is the ideal option for them
- For those users seeking to enjoy the benefits of multiple domains, they are better off settling for the Multi-domain UCC/SAN SSL
- For companies looking for Premium Multi-Domain certificates, settling for a Premium SSL Certificate is the best option for them
To get the best out of these certificates, you need to take care of these factors:
- Establish your needs
It is necessary to establish what you need before settling for an SSL certificate. For instance, users with many sub-domains will have to opt for Unified Communications Certificates
- Choose the domains that need security
It is also needful to determine which sub domains need to be secured with an SSL certificate
- Creating the Certificate Signing Request
After determining your needs and the kind of certificate that will meet them, the next step is to make this critical request to a certified Certificate Authority.
- Installing the SSL
After receiving your SSL, it will be necessary to run the Import-Exchange Certificate command on your server if you are using Microsoft’s Exchange 2013/2016.Â
The significance of an SSL certificate on Microsoft Exchange
In our day, installing an SSL/ TSL certificate on your Microsoft server is an absolute necessity especially when you are dealing with the safety of your email communications. This installation will secure your communications from the snoop dogs that are doing rounds on the Net searching sensitive information to steal. By ensuring the safety of your system, you create a secure interactive environment for all your stakeholders to communicate.
Final thoughts
Securing your Microsoft Servers with an SSL certificate requires special attention. If you want to secure your system, you need to establish your needs so that you can know which sub-domains on your servers require securing. In addition, you should determine the right kind of SSL that meets those needs precisely. Irrespective of whether you are dealing with an older 2003 or a newer 2016 version, you can get a solution that will address your security needs at that level. Also, the market has different SSL certificates suitable for different needs, and as such, you just need to choose what suits you best. We believe that the insights we have discussed here and the links we have provided you will give you the necessary resources you need to keep your Microsoft Servers safe. Therefore, we welcome you to talk to our team about your server security needs and we will be there to help you secure them.