SSL/TLS Certificate Management Audit Checklist
This SSL/TLS certificate management audit checklist ensures compliance with NIST SP 800-52 Rev.2 TLS implementation guidelines, PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 4 encryption requirements, CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements, and RFC 8446 TLS 1.3 specifications. Designed for security engineers and PKI administrators to audit certificate inventories, validate configurations, and prevent certificate-related outages. Complete monthly.
- Industry: Telecommunications & IT
- Frequency: Monthly
- Estimated Time: 1-2 hours
- Role: Security Engineer / PKI Administrator
- Total Items: 30
- Compliance: NIST SP 800-52 Rev.2 TLS Implementation, PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 4 Encryption, CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements v2.0, RFC 8446 TLS 1.3 Protocol, ISO 27001:2022 A.8.24 Cryptography
Certificate Inventory
Completeness and accuracy of certificate inventory.
- Certificate inventory complete and up to date?
- Network scan performed to discover unmanaged certificates?
- Shadow/unmanaged certificates identified and catalogued?
- CA distribution reviewed for concentration risk?
- Certificate Inventory Screenshot
Certificate Expiry Management
Monitor and manage upcoming certificate expirations.
- No certificates expiring within 30 days without renewal plan?
- Certificates expiring 31-60 days have renewal initiated?
- Automated renewal configured for eligible certificates?
- Expiry alerts configured to multiple contacts?
- Any certificates expired in last 30 days (post-incident review)?
TLS Configuration Compliance
TLS protocol version and cipher suite validation.
- TLS 1.3 preferred/enforced on all new deployments?
- TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 disabled on all endpoints?
- Weak cipher suites disabled (RC4, 3DES, export ciphers)?
- HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) headers configured?
- SSL Labs scan score A or A+ for public services?
Certificate Standard Compliance
Certificate specification compliance per CA/Browser Forum.
- RSA certificates use minimum 2048-bit keys (4096 recommended)?
- ECDSA certificates use P-256 or P-384 curves?
- All certificates use SHA-256 or stronger signature hash?
- Certificate validity periods within CA/B Forum limits?
- Subject Alternative Names (SANs) correctly configured?
Private Key Security
Private key storage and access control verification.
- HSM or secured key storage used for high-value certificates?
- Private key access restricted to authorized users/processes?
- Private keys backed up securely?
- Certificate revocation process documented and tested?
- CRL/OCSP responders operational and tested?
Audit Findings and Actions
Document findings and track remediation.
- All findings documented with risk severity?
- Critical findings escalated for immediate action?
- Remediation owners and due dates assigned?
- Monthly certificate audit report prepared?
- Audit Summary Notes
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Why Use This SSL/TLS Certificate Management Audit Checklist?
This ssl/tls certificate management audit checklist helps telecommunications & it teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for security engineer / pki administrator professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.
Ensures compliance with NIST SP 800-52 Rev.2 TLS Implementation, PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 4 Encryption, CA/Browser Forum Baseline Requirements v2.0, RFC 8446 TLS 1.3 Protocol, ISO 27001:2022 A.8.24 Cryptography. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the SSL/TLS Certificate Management Audit Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: Certificate Inventory, Certificate Expiry Management, TLS Configuration Compliance, Certificate Standard Compliance, Private Key Security, Audit Findings and Actions. It is designed for telecommunications & it operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed monthly. Each completion takes approximately 1-2 hours.
Who should use this SSL/TLS Certificate Management Audit Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Security Engineer / PKI Administrator professionals in the telecommunications & it industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.