Episode 44 — Deploy TLS, IPsec, and S/MIME the Right Way
Secure communication protocols feature prominently in SSCP domain questions, and this episode clarifies where each applies. We outline Transport Layer Security (TLS) for web and application encryption, Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) for network-layer protection, and Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) for email confidentiality and signing. You’ll learn handshake sequences, key exchange mechanisms, and how certificates authenticate parties. We also emphasize version management—why TLS 1.3 supersedes earlier insecure versions—and how cipher suite selection and certificate validation determine real protection versus a false sense of security.
Practical deployment guidance follows. For TLS, we examine enforcing HTTPS, disabling weak ciphers, and implementing certificate pinning where appropriate. For IPsec, we discuss modes (tunnel versus transport), mutual authentication with pre-shared keys or certificates, and integration with VPN concentrators. For S/MIME, we cover enrolling users in a PKI, distributing public keys, and managing revocation lists. Troubleshooting advice includes expired or mismatched certificates, incomplete trust chains, and negotiation failures due to policy differences. By linking each protocol to its ideal layer and purpose, you’ll easily identify exam answers that reflect proper placement and secure configuration. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
