Transport Layer Security
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a cryptographic protocol that secures data in transit between two parties, providing confidentiality, integrity and authentication of the server.
What is Transport Layer Security?
Definition
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the cryptographic protocol securing data in transit between two parties — most visibly between a browser and a web server, where it is what turns HTTP into HTTPS. Its handshake does three things at once: it authenticates the server through a certificate, it agrees a symmetric session key, and it establishes integrity protection so traffic cannot be altered undetected in flight. In cybersecurity terms the version matters as much as the presence: TLS 1.2 and 1.3 are current, while SSL and the earliest TLS versions are deprecated and should be disabled.
Role in cybersecurity
Transport Layer Security plays an important role in building organizational resilience against cyber threats. Implementing appropriate mechanisms in this area is required by regulations such as NIS2, DORA and ISO 27001.