Are Wildcard SAN Certificates the Best Option for Securing Subdomains?
Riya Sander
Did you know that managing different SSL certificates for multiple subdomains is a big problem for organizations? And it's not easy for everyone to handle at a time. For that, Wildcard SAN Certificates provide a solution. They also allow you to secure an unlimited number of subdomains with just one certificate.
At the end of this article, you will find out if Wildcard SAN Certificates are the best option for securing subdomains.
What is a Wildcard SAN Certificate?
A Wildcard SAN certificate is a special type of SSL/TLS certificate. It works like a wildcard certificate and a Subject Alternative Name (SAN) certificate at the same time.
A Wildcard Certificate allows you to secure an unlimited number of subdomains under a single primary domain (e.g.,\.example.com secures blog.example.com, shop.example.com, etc.).*
While the SAN Certificate allows you to list multiple domains or subdomains in a single certificate. This gives you the flexibility to protect different entities (e.g., example.com, example.net, shop.example.com, etc.).
When we combine it, then Wildcard SAN certificates provide the ability to secure multiple domains, as well as subdomains across those domains, under one certificate.
Wildcard Certificates vs SAN Certificates vs Wildcard SAN Certificates: Comparison Table:
Check out the comparison table that shows the differences between Wildcard Certificates vs SAN Certificates vs Wildcard SAN Certificates
| Feature | Wildcard Certificate | SAN Certificate | Wildcard SAN Certificate |
| Coverage | Secures all subdomains under a single domain (e.g., *.example.com). | Secures multiple domains and subdomains (e.g., example.com, example.net, sub.example.org). | Secures subdomains across multiple domains (e.g., .example.com, .example.net). |
| Flexibility | Limited to one domain and its subdomains. | Can cover multiple different domains and subdomains. | Covers multiple domains and their subdomains. |
| Best Use Case | Best for single-domain sites with many subdomains. | Best for organizations with multiple domains and fewer subdomains. | Ideal for enterprises with multiple domains and many subdomains. |
| Ease of Adding Subdomains | Easy; new subdomains are automatically covered. | Requires manual modification to add new domains or subdomains. | Easy; subdomains are automatically covered across multiple domains. |
Are Wildcard SAN Certificates the Best Choice for Securing Subdomains?
Wildcard SAN certificates are best for businesses with many subdomains. They are useful when those subdomains are spread across different websites.
However, they aren’t always the best choice for everyone. If your business website has only a few subdomains then you might go with the Wildcard certificates.
If your business deals with sensitive data, it’s important to be careful. You might need tighter control over each subdomain. In that case, a separate SSL certificate for each domain or subdomain could be safer. This way, you can protect your data better.
In short:
If you want simplicity and to save money, Wildcard SAN certificates are a good option.
If you need stronger security and better risk management. Then a single certificate for each domain might be a better investment.
So, I think you are tired of handling lots of SSL certificates for your websites. Right? Then, Wildcard SAN certificates make it easy by securing your main website and all its subdomains with just one certificate saving you both time and money.
For the solution, you should buy Wildcard SAN certificates from reputed CA’s that offer different certificates like Comodo Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL, and Sectigo Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL, which can protect several domains and subdomains with one certificate. This is a smart, simple option for businesses managing many websites.
So, why are you stuck here, start protecting your websites today. Visit various CA’s websites to find the right Wildcard SAN certificate for your business!
Conclusion
Wildcard SAN certificates are a perfect option for businesses with multiple subdomains. But, you should believe in your specific needs and risks before deciding. You can choose a Wildcard SAN certificate to secure your subdomains. A regular Wildcard certificate is another option for protecting them. Even with a single-domain certificate, providing the safety of your subdomains is the top priority.
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