The Essential Guide to Public SSL Certificates in AWS: A Recipe for Secure and Trusted Web Applications Part 1
In this comprehensive blog series, we embark on a journey through the intricate landscape of domain management and SSL certificate integration within the AWS ecosystem.
In Part 1, we start from scratch, walking you through setting up your domain in AWS using Route 53. We've got step-by-step instructions and handy screenshots to make sure you're on track.
Once your domain is up and running, Part 2 shows you how to get your SSL certificates sorted. We'll cover creating and validating certificates for CloudFront and ALBs in two different AWS regions.
In the final stretch, Part 3, we'll take your setup to the next level with Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Learn how to deploy your web server with those shiny new certificates using code. Plus, we'll show you the ropes for managing certificates in the AWS console. Then we'll focus on the cleanup of the infrastructure set up in Parts 1 to 3. This essential step ensures that unused resources are removed, helping you maintain a lean and cost-effective AWS environment. Through this structured sequence, from domain registration to certificate integration, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate processes involved in managing domains and securing them with SSL certificates within the AWS environment.
In this blog series, we will unravel the intricate world of AWS. Focusing on one of its pivotal tools, Route 53 (R53), named after the 53rd TCP/IP port, simplifies domain registration and management. Making it an essential component for businesses and individuals alike. Another factor to consider as an individual or business is what domain service to use and AWS R53 has a multitude of benefits like reliability, scalability and seamless integration to other AWS services to name a few.
In this post we aim to venture into the digital realm of AWS. A domain serves as your virtual address which will enable users to find and access your website or service with relative ease. R53 allows you to register new domains, transfer existing ones and manage DNS records with simplicity. Whether you’re setting up a simple website, configuring custom email addresses or implement complex routing protocols, R53 provides the tools and flexibility to meet any requirements
The following post will provide a deeper understanding of the AWS and Route 53 guiding you through the domain registration process, DNS configuration and other elements during the course of this process.
What to expect from this process:
First things first:
1. Sign in to your AWS account.
2. Navigate to the to R53 Service
3. On the R53 console, navigate to the Domains section and select the Registered domains option.
4. Under the registered domains section select the Register domains option
a) Insert an appropriate domain name
- example : name+tempdomain
b) Select the search option to see the available domain names
c) Select the pricing model that is the most suitable
5. Proceed to checkout when the appropriate domain is selected
6. The pricing section determines the duration for the domain and if the domain renewal is either automated or will be done manually.
7. The next step is to fill in the Contact information required for the domain registration.
a) Contact Type
b) Email
c) Phone number
d) Address information
8. After all the appropriate information is inserted, select the Next option at the end.
9. Review All the information
10. Accept the Terms and conditions and Submit the information.
Congratulations you have successfully requested a domain!
NOTE:
Newly requested public domains need to be populated on the global registrar database and therefore can't take a few minutes or a few hours to complete. Meaning the newly requested domain will go into a request in progress status. If the contact information that is supplied during the domain registration process is correct the admin will receive an email once the domain is successfully registered.
A certificates are made secure by using cryptography and protocols like;
Public-Key Cryptography: This forms the foundation of encryption. You generate a key pair containing a public key (shared publicly) and a private key (kept secret). The public key encrypts data, only the private key can decrypt it.
Digital Signature: A trusted Certificate Authority (CA) verifies your ownership of the domain and digitally signs a document containing your public key. This signature acts as a vouching mechanism, assuring others the public key is legitimate.
TLS Handshake: When a browser visits your website, a complex "handshake" occurs. The browser initiates the connection by sending its public key. In response, your server sends its own public key along with a signed certificate. The browser verifies the signature (trusting the CA) and establishes a secure encrypted connection using both keys.
Mathys Briers is a certified AWS DevOps Professional engineer with extensive experience implementing DevOps solutions for enterprise organizations in South Africa's retail and finance sectors. He is passionate about automated pipelines, efficient and secure release controls, and maintaining robust AWS cloud infrastructure. In his free time, he enjoys tinkering with home projects, particularly focusing on automating home tasks.
Petrus Smit is a Senior DevOps Engineer with experience in AWS implementations since 2019. He has delivered high-profile projects for various enterprise organizations in South Africa and serves as one of the Technical Leads at Autumn Leaf.
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