The Internet Security Research group organization has a project whose aim is to make encrypted connections omnipresent called Let’s Encrypt. The certificate authority issues X.509 certificates for Transport Layer Security (TLS) free of charge. Released in 2016, this service lasts for three months after which you can renew. With internet security their purpose, you can be sure to secure your online activities free of charge. Let’s Encrypt was founded by five major entities including; Cisco Systems and Mozilla Foundation et al.
History
The Let’s Encrypt idea was born in 2012. Behind this great innovation were individuals working in different companies; they came together to make the dream come true. To bring Let’s Encrypt to life, the team registered an organization called Internet Security Research Group (ISRG) in 2013. It is under the ISRG brand that Let’s Encrypt project was launched. This was less than two years after the actualization process had begun.
Between 2014 and 2016 when the project was launched, a lot transpired. On the 18th of November 2014, the team brains behind this idea went public to announce the Let’s Encrypt idea. About two months later, a critical protocol was registered in the process to comply with regulations. After submission to the IETF, a partnership was announced three months later between the rapidly growing ISRG and an established Linux Foundation. This was another strategic decision that would catapult the project’s acceptance by the people.
The second half of 2015 was eventful. Several certificates were issued in addition to launching of the program. Because time was required for solidity and stability, the team decided to push forward the project’s actual launch. It later happened and the organization became operational.
Like any other company, Let’s Encrypt was to later face different challenges. In March 2020, the organization made a decision to cancel millions of certificates it had earlier issues owing to the flaws in its issuance system. When it came to implementation, the company could only revoke 1.7m. By the time deadline was approaching, half the certificates had not been dealt with. Let’s encrypt chose not to deal with them but allow the contracts run out and amends made during renewal. Otherwise, the company has been rising well and strong.
Vision Realization
Every organization was once a dream. Step by step, the founders made things happen. When it started to come true, more joined the bandwagon in form of employees. Whatever business model an organization decides to apply, the goal remains one- to meet and exceeds targets.
Let’s Encrypt’s goal was to make encrypted connections omnipresent. This was to be made possible through issuance of certificates. The issues would cost not a penny. And true to their dreams, the founding team and the organization at large has so far issued an amazing number of certificates. By March 8, 2016; only a million certificates had been issued. The amount is significant yet not compared to the one billion issues made by February 27, 2020.
By the end of December 2016, the certificates had been growing by a few millions. Come 2017, the number of issues made grew exponentially. Henceforth, the numbers have been growing by several millions. Between 2016 and 2020 (4 years), a billion certificates have been issued. This means an average of 250 million certificates issued annually. What a staggering figure!
Target Market
Your market is your success. Whether they stick around or leave you for a competitor determines your longevity in business. Let’s Encrypt ventured into a field not many could think about. So, who does this organization serve?
Online security is everyone’s concern. There are two challenges when it comes to dealing with this concern. It is not easy to find a trusted security provider. If you do, perhaps you won’t afford their prices. Most offer two options; high quality for high prices or low prices for poor quality. None of these options sound good. That compounds the situation even farther.
This company targets mostly online users in search of a trusted internet security provider. To give the best to their clients, they offer quality services at no charge. This solve the client’s security issues and does so at no charge. It allows the customer to focus on other things and achieve their goals too. It is for this reason that this organization won the Free Software Foundation. The award is issued yearly for projects out to benefit the community.
Website Experience
The organization’s website is letsencrypt.org. As an organization in the internet service, you expect excellence displayed on their website. That is the case. The site is mobile friendly besides having a smooth feel and easy look.
The website is one to fall in love with at first sight. Clearly, it is designed by the best. The site is a true representation of the organization and is presented in an amazing manner. It is not all the time you’ll find an inviting website. One that is interactive and will make it hard for you to leave after landing on the site.
With a USD 3.6 million, the website management team gets a considerable allocation to keep the site at the optimum working condition. That way, the organization is able to successfully issue more certificates with no technical problems.
Another amazing thing is the website’s offer for different languages. At the top right of the homepage is a menu tab. On clicking it, a drop down menu unlocks giving you the Language option. The tab opens up to a variety of languages including Espanol, Francais and Deutsch.
Conclusion
Let’s Encrypt as an organization offering internet security services has risen to the top in just a short period. Various reasons are behind this ascent. Among them is the high risk space the founders took too. as a business rule, the higher the risk the higher the return. Seemingly, issuance of TLC certificates was the greatest idea ISRG could come up with. As time goes by, we await to see how much success this organization headquartered in San Francisco will achieve.