If you’re a reader of this blog, it should come as no surprise that SSL lifetimes are changing. And by 2029, 47-day certificate lifetimes will be the norm. This applies to multi-year SSL plans too. While the plan covers several years, each certificate within it is limited to the current maximum validity, so it still needs replacing just as often.

Shortening SSL lifetimes are set to impact how we manage SSL certificates, but what about the SSL types you choose? Should you be reconsidering your go-to SSL based on these changes?

It’s an unfortunate reality that it can be easy for mistakes to happen with SSL renewals, especially if you’re keeping track of multiple certificates manually. This is set to worsen with SSL lifespans shortening even further over the next few years. As you’ll see below, these mistakes often stem from factors like unclear ownership, poor communication, missed verification, and lack of automation. And, for the most part, it boils down to poor management rather than anything technical. 

Shrinking SSL lifetimes and the potential fallout have been a hot topic on this blog lately, and we’re not putting it to rest quite yet. After all, it’s an important topic for SSL owners, especially those with multiple sites and servers. Preparation is key if you want to ensure your certificates renew on time every time, keeping everything live. 

The SSL industry has been changing for a while and is set to continue. Chief among the changes is the ever-shortening SSL lifetime limit. For most website owners, this is going to make SSL management much more difficult. But with automatic SSL renewal, it doesn’t have to be. 

What used to be effective for SSL certificate management is no longer cutting it, thanks to the continual SSL industry changes over the past decade. For even seasoned professionals, a new strategy may be needed, which this guide will cover. Read on to find out how you can keep on top of SSL management in 2026 and beyond. 

Ever wish SSL management were easier? We recently wrote about upcoming SSL lifetime changes and how, soon, manually managing SSL certificates will likely become more difficult to maintain. Before, certificate validity lasted years. By 2029, it will only be 47 days.