Data breaches caused by not encrypting with SSL can have severe consequences for both individuals and organizations. According to recent studies, the frequency and severity of data breaches are on the rise, with the cost of a data breach estimated to be over $3.86 million on average.
A study by the Ponemon Institute found that organizations without SSL encryption were 2.2 times more likely to experience a data breach than those with SSL encryption. In addition, the study found that unencrypted data was up to 9.9 times more likely to be stolen or lost than encrypted data.
Another study by Symantec found that the likelihood of experiencing a data breach was significantly reduced by using SSL encryption. Organizations that used SSL encryption were found to be 50% less likely to experience a data breach.
In addition to the increased risk of data breaches, not using SSL encryption can also harm an organization’s reputation and brand image. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about online security, and a lack of SSL encryption can make them feel uneasy about using an organization’s website or providing sensitive information.
With the increasing amount of sensitive information being shared online, it’s essential to take steps to protect it. One of the most effective ways to do this is using SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, technology.
But what is SSL, and how does it work? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
When you visit a website, the connection between your device and the website’s server is unencrypted. Any information you send, such as passwords or credit card numbers, is vulnerable to being intercepted by a third party.
SSL creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the website’s server. This encrypted connection ensures that any information sent between your device and the website is protected from being intercepted by others.
When you visit a website that uses SSL, your browser will establish a secure connection with the server. This is indicated by a padlock icon in the address bar or the “https” in the website’s URL. The “s” in “https” stands for “secure.”
Not only does SSL protect sensitive information, but it also helps build trust with your customers. When they see your website using SSL, they know their personal and financial information is being protected.
Having an SSL certificate also gives your website a slight boost in search engine rankings, as Google and other search engines consider SSL a factor in their algorithms.
Using SSL encryption is crucial for protecting sensitive information and reducing the risk of data breaches. Failing to use SSL encryption can lead to significant financial losses, damage an organization’s reputation, and harm individual customers.
