Forced Certificate Renewal System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing certificate management systems automatically renew digital certificates based on expiration dates, which can lead to undesirable renewal times, such as during heavy traffic periods, and do not allow sufficient time for testing and debugging of client-based export and binding logic.
Innovation Solution
A certificate management system that enables manual, forced renewal of digital certificates at arbitrary or client-selected times, allowing for extensive testing and verification of client-based program code before automatic renewal, and minimizes disruptions by allowing renewal at opportune times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic certificate renewal is performed based on expiration dates, then certificate validity is maintained, but renewal may occur at undesirable times causing service disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs certificate renewal in advance of the expiration date, allowing the renewed certificate to be ready before the old certificate expires. This preliminary action ensures that renewal can occur at an optimal time rather than being forced by expiration, thereby maintaining service continuity while ensuring certificate validity.
2Reliability
If automatic renewal is performed close to expiration date, then certificate validity is ensured, but insufficient time is available for testing and debugging client logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system renewals certificates at a predetermined time interval before expiration (e.g., 30 days prior), creating a buffer period that allows sufficient time for testing and debugging client-based export and binding logic while still ensuring the certificate remains valid throughout the transition period.
3Ease of operation
If manual forced renewal is enabled at arbitrary times, then testing time is increased and service disruptions are minimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated certificate renewal functionality that operates without requiring complex manual intervention. The certificate management service automatically handles renewal timing, certificate generation, and distribution, reducing system complexity while enabling flexible renewal at optimal times rather than requiring complex scheduling systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for a certificate management system with forced certificate renewal are disclosed. The certificate management system may receive a request to renew a digital certificate. The request may be received at a selected time prior to an automatic renewal date for the certificate, and the automatic renewal date may be stored by the certificate management system. The certificate management system may acquire, based at least in part on the request to renew the certificate, a renewed certificate from a certificate authority. The renewed certificate may be obtained prior to the automatic renewal date. The renewed certificate may be exported from the certificate management system and bound to a computing resource (e.g., a server) prior to the automatic renewal date.