EP

En Pointe Technologies

Let's Encrypt is a free, automated certificate authority that provides SSL/TLS certificates to secure websites worldwide through open-source technology.

No image available

About

Let's Encrypt operates as a free, automated, and open certificate authority that has fundamentally transformed website security by eliminating cost barriers to SSL/TLS encryption. Launched in 2016 by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), the service has issued over 3 billion certificates to date. The platform democratizes web encryption by providing domain-validated certificates at no cost to website operators of any size.

The certificate authority utilizes the Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) protocol to streamline the entire certificate lifecycle. This automation enables instant certificate issuance, automatic renewals every 90 days, and seamless integration with web servers and hosting platforms. The system validates domain ownership through various challenge methods including HTTP-01, DNS-01, and TLS-ALPN-01 validation techniques.

Key features include:

  • Completely free domain-validated SSL/TLS certificates
  • Automated certificate issuance and renewal processes
  • 90-day certificate validity periods for enhanced security
  • Support for wildcard certificates and multiple domain names
  • Cross-platform compatibility with major web servers and CDNs
  • Open-source client software and extensive API documentation

Let's Encrypt serves millions of websites across diverse sectors, from individual blogs to enterprise applications. Major hosting providers, content delivery networks, and web platforms have integrated the service to offer automated SSL/TLS protection to their customers. The certificate authority particularly benefits small businesses, developers, and organizations with limited security budgets who previously faced barriers to implementing encryption.

The platform has significantly accelerated global HTTPS adoption rates and established new standards for certificate authority automation. Let's Encrypt's open approach and commitment to universal encryption has influenced the broader PKI industry toward more accessible and automated certificate management solutions. The service continues expanding its capabilities while maintaining its core mission of making encrypted web communications universally available without financial barriers.