Security standards across the internet continue to evolve, and an important industry-wide change is coming that affects SSL and TLS certificates.

Certificate Authorities are reducing the maximum validity period for publicly trusted SSL certificates. While this change improves security overall, it also means certificates will need to be re-issued more frequently to stay compliant and avoid service interruptions.

Why this change is happening

Shorter certificate lifespans reduce the risk associated with compromised or outdated certificates. They also encourage stronger security practices, including automated certificate management, which helps minimize human error and unexpected expirations.

What is changing

Today, most SSL certificates are valid for a little over a year. Starting in March 2026, that maximum validity will decrease and continue to shorten over the next several years.

Certificates will still be purchased and renewed annually. However, they will now need to be re-issued during that term to remain valid.

How this affects you

  • Existing certificates remain valid until their current expiration date
  • New and renewed certificates will require re-issuance before the validity limit is reached
  • Additional coordination is required to ensure uninterrupted security and compliance

Without proper tracking and re-issuance, expired certificates can lead to website warnings, service disruptions, or loss of customer trust.

How CTComp is handling this

CTComp is proactively managing these changes for our customers. For SSL certificates purchased after March 15, 2026, we will open two service tickets at the time of order. One covers the initial purchase or renewal, and the second ensures the required re-issuance happens on time.

Our goal is to make this transition seamless and keep your systems secure without adding extra work for your team.

Want the official notice?

For customers who would like to review the full technical notice outlining the SSL certificate changes, you can view the document here:

SSL/TLS Certificate Changes Notice

If you have any questions or would like us to review your current SSL certificates, our team is here to help.