Symantec eases VeriSign SSL certificate renewal headaches

Security giant Symantec has launched two new features for web site owners signed up to its VeriSign Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates service designed to make the renewal process easier to manage.

Express Renewal effectively automates the whole process by removing the need for web owners to submit a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) or reinstall a VeriSign SSL certificate when it is nearing renewal time.

Customers need simply to pay for a new validity period when the former one is about to run out. VeriSign SSL Secure Site and Secure Site Pro certificates can be paid for in periods of up to six years, while Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates can be bought for up to two years at a time.

The second new feature from Symantec has been designed to make the payment process itself easier.

The AutoPay Renewal Service can be activated on a customer's initial enrolment, and effectively works like a direct debit with money automatically paid from a customer's account.

Express Renewal is available free of charge to VeriSign SSL and EV SSL customers that submit a minimum 2,048-bit CSR, while AutoPay can be activated at any time.

Danilo Labovic, European director at Symantec's VeriSign Authentication Group, said that the new features recognise the fact that the renewal process is often one of the most challenging aspects online businesses face when it comes to SSL certificate management.

"The new features we're announcing today make it easier than ever for organisations to manage their certificates and ensure they are always up to date, without any hassle," he added.

"This will enable businesses to focus less on managing SSL renewals and spend more time on growing their business."