Integrated CSR Generation and Certificate Enrollment Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current three-step process for acquiring SSL certificates is time-consuming and inefficient for enterprise customers, requiring manual CSR generation, enrollment, and installation.
Innovation Solution
A one-step process is introduced where CSR generation is integrated into the online certificate enrollment form, allowing administrators to submit customer information and generate CSRs directly, with instant issuance and automatic installation of SSL certificates, leveraging pre-vetted administrators and domains for streamlined authentication and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the traditional three-step process (CSR generation, certificate enrollment, certificate delivery) is used, then security and authentication are ensured, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CSR generation, certificate enrollment, and certificate delivery into a single integrated online process. The enrollment form simultaneously collects domain information, administrator credentials, and CSR data, eliminating the need for separate manual steps and accelerating certificate acquisition while maintaining security through pre-vetted administrators and automated authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication of administrators and domains before the certificate issuance process. By pre-vetting administrators and verifying domain ownership in advance, the system eliminates time-consuming verification steps during certificate procurement, enabling instant issuance while maintaining rigorous security standards.
2Ease of operation
If manual CSR generation and enrollment steps are used, then security control is maintained, but administrative effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The online enrollment form serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects domain registration information, verifies administrator credentials, generates or accepts CSR data, and initiates certificate issuance. This multi-functional approach simplifies the user experience by consolidating what were previously separate manual processes into a single automated workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables administrators to self-serve by allowing them to submit certificate requests online with pre-configured authentication. The automated verification of pre-vetted administrator credentials and domain information eliminates the need for manual intervention by support staff, reducing both administrative effort and process complexity while maintaining security controls.
Data Source
AI summary
The process of acquiring SSL certificates for enterprise SSL customers is improved by reducing the number of steps used to acquire the SSL certificate and streamlining the process. An on-line CSR generator on the certificate enrollment form is used to submit the customer information (i.e. Common Name, Organizational Unit, Organization, City/Locality, State/Province, and Country Code) and generate the CSR. By making the CSR generation part of the enrollment process, the administrator can use the same enrollment form to submit the customer information along with the contact information pertinent to the enterprise.