AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) is a powerful service that simplifies the process of provisioning, managing, and deploying SSL/TLS certificates for securing websites and applications on AWS. Whether you’re hosting a website on EC2, deploying a load balancer, or using API Gateway, ACM makes it easy to encrypt data in transit and ensure the highest security standards. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of using ACM, from requesting a certificate to automatically renewing it, all without needing deep technical expertise.
What is AWS Certificate Manager?
AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) is a service that allows users to easily provision, manage, and deploy public and private SSL/TLS certificates. It integrates seamlessly with other AWS services such as Elastic Load Balancing, CloudFront, and API Gateway to help secure websites and applications. SSL certificates protect sensitive information by encrypting data transmitted over the internet.
Why Use AWS Certificate Manager?
Using ACM has several advantages:
- Automatic Renewal: Once certificates are issued, ACM handles the automatic renewal of SSL certificates, ensuring your website or application is always secure.
- Easy Integration: ACM works natively with other AWS services, making it a great choice for developers and system administrators already using the AWS ecosystem.
- Cost-effective: AWS provides public SSL certificates for free, which can significantly reduce operational costs.
How to Use AWS Certificate Manager
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to request, deploy, and manage certificates with AWS Certificate Manager.
Step 1: Request a Certificate
- Open the AWS Certificate Manager console.
- Click on Request a Certificate.
- Choose whether you need a public or private certificate.
- For a public certificate, enter the domain names (e.g., example.com) you want to secure.
- Choose a validation method—DNS validation or Email validation. DNS validation is often preferred for its automation and scalability.
Step 2: Validate the Certificate
- If you chose DNS validation, ACM will provide a CNAME record that you need to add to your DNS configuration.
- For Email validation, ACM sends an email to the domain owner for approval.
Once the validation is completed, AWS will issue the certificate.
Step 3: Deploy the Certificate
After the certificate is issued, you can deploy it by associating it with services like:
- Elastic Load Balancing (ELB): Navigate to your load balancer, choose SSL settings, and attach the certificate from ACM.
- CloudFront: If you’re using AWS CloudFront, go to the distribution settings and select your ACM certificate.
- API Gateway: In API Gateway, choose your API settings, and associate the certificate with your custom domain name.
Step 4: Manage and Renew Certificates
AWS Certificate Manager automatically renews public certificates before they expire, so you don’t need to worry about manual renewals. If DNS validation is set up, ACM automatically handles the validation process.
Best Practices for Using AWS Certificate Manager
- Use DNS Validation for Automation: DNS validation simplifies certificate renewal as ACM automatically revalidates domains without manual intervention.
- Monitor Certificate Expiry: Although ACM auto-renews certificates, monitor their status to ensure there are no unexpected failures in the renewal process.
- Use ACM with CloudFront for Global Distribution: When securing content with CloudFront, using ACM ensures high-speed global SSL delivery.
Conclusion:
AWS Certificate Manager simplifies the process of securing your websites and applications. From free SSL certificates to automatic renewals and integration with key AWS services, ACM is an essential tool for maintaining security and protecting user data. By following this guide, you can easily request, deploy, and manage SSL certificates with minimal effort.