Supported SSL/TLS Protocols
All SSL/TLS protocol versions the server can negotiate...
Understanding Supported SSL/TLS Protocols
Supported SSL/TLS Protocols represent the complete list of protocol versions that a server is configured to accept and negotiate with connecting clients. This configuration determines which clients can successfully establish secure connections and influences both security posture and compatibility with older systems.
Protocol Version Landscape
Modern servers typically support multiple protocol versions to balance security and compatibility:
- TLS 1.3: Latest standard offering optimal security and performance
- TLS 1.2: Widely supported, secure when properly configured
- TLS 1.1: Deprecated, should be disabled for security
- TLS 1.0: Legacy protocol with known vulnerabilities
- SSL 3.0/2.0: Obsolete protocols that should never be enabled
Configuration Strategy and Security
Best practice involves supporting only TLS 1.2 and 1.3 while disabling older, vulnerable protocols. However, some organizations maintain broader protocol support to accommodate legacy systems that cannot be immediately updated. The supported protocols list should be regularly reviewed and updated as part of security maintenance, with older protocols disabled as soon as operational requirements permit. This configuration directly impacts PCI DSS compliance, security audit results, and overall risk exposure from protocol-level vulnerabilities.
Where You'll See This Term
This term commonly appears in:
- SSL certificate details pages
- Certificate Authority validation processes
- SSL configuration documentation
- Security audit reports
- Certificate management interfaces