TLS 1.2 protocol: how does it work and why is it essential?

In the digital age, business processes and personal transactions increasingly depend on online connectivity. This environment generates a high volume of data circulating on the network, increasing the risks of cyberattacks. To mitigate these threats, protocols like TLS 1.2 (Transport Layer Security 1.2) play a crucial role by encrypting and protecting the integrity of information traveling between a client and a server.

This article addresses key aspects of TLS 1.2, including:

• What TLS 1.2 is and its purpose.
• Differences between TLS 1.2 and previous versions.
• Main benefits of implementing TLS 1.2.
• How this protocol works in data encryption.
• Practical steps for implementing it in digital environments.
• Evolution towards TLS 1.3 and its future impact on cybersecurity.
• The relationship of TLS 1.2 with Prometeo and how it strengthens the security of our users.

Understanding these points will help you grasp why TLS 1.2 remains an essential standard for online data protection and how you can apply best practices to secure your systems and transactions.

To answer the question of what TLS 1.2 is, it's helpful to first review the protocol’s background. TLS (Transport Layer Security) evolved from SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), an encryption method used to establish secure connections over unreliable networks such as the internet.

TLS 1.2 is an improved version of these cryptographic protocols aimed at protecting communication between a client (for example, your browser) and a server (the website you visit). Broadly speaking, it:

• Encrypts sent and received information, ensuring data confidentiality.
• Verifies the server’s identity and optionally that of the client, preventing impersonation.
• Validates information integrity, ensuring it's not modified by third parties.

1. Privacy: All information is robustly encrypted, ensuring intercepted traffic remains unreadable.
2. Authentication: Using digital certificates, TLS 1.2 confirms the server you communicate with is legitimate, reducing "Man-in-the-Middle" attacks or fake sites.
3. Integrity: Through hashing functions and other cryptographic techniques, the protocol detects if data was altered during transmission.

Every time you browse websites with "HTTPS" instead of "HTTP", your browser and the server use a security protocol, typically TLS 1.2 (or newer versions), to encrypt your session, protect credentials, and safeguard financial or personal information.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the successor to Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), initially developed by Netscape in 1994 to secure online communications. Here's the evolution of TLS and its versions, highlighting how TLS 1.2 surpasses its predecessors:

• SSL 1.0: Never released due to serious security flaws.
• SSL 2.0 (1995): Introduced initial improvements but still contained significant vulnerabilities.
• SSL 3.0 (1996): Marked an important advancement but was officially deprecated in 2015 due to attacks like POODLE (Padding Oracle On Downgraded Legacy Encryption).
• TLS 1.0 (1999): Built on SSL 3.0, adding security and efficiency improvements but remained vulnerable to attacks like BEAST (Browser Exploit Against SSL/TLS).
• TLS 1.1 (2006): Added additional protections, like explicit initialization vectors for Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) mode encryption. However, it remained limited against new threats.
• TLS 1.2 (2008): Represented a significant leap in security by incorporating modern cryptographic algorithms like SHA-256, enhancing cryptographic flexibility, and protecting against known vulnerabilities.

Strong cryptographic algorithms:

• TLS 1.2 introduced support for more secure algorithms like SHA-256 and SHA-384, replacing weaker ones used in TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1, such as SHA-1, which is discouraged due to security issues.

Cryptographic negotiation flexibility:

• Allows advanced negotiation between client and server, automatically selecting secure configurations. This prevents downgrade attacks, where an attacker forces the use of less secure protocols.

Enhanced security measures:

• Implements mechanisms to mitigate vulnerabilities like POODLE and BEAST, common in earlier versions. Also protects against data manipulation during exchanges.

Compatibility and efficiency:

• Although TLS 1.2 is more efficient than TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1, it's still slower than TLS 1.3, which significantly improves connection times by reducing communication rounds during handshakes.

Obsolescence of previous versions:

• TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 have been deprecated due to inherent vulnerabilities. Although TLS 1.2 remains widely adopted, its gradual replacement by TLS 1.3 is underway.

Why is it so important to update or use TLS 1.2 on our platforms? Here are the main benefits:

Robust encryption:

• Allows the use of algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), much more secure than older methods like RC4.
• Offers flexibility in selecting appropriate cipher suites for various needs.

Protection against known attacks:

• Attacks like BEAST, POODLE, or even certain "Downgrade" attacks attempting to force older versions are virtually blocked when TLS 1.2 is properly configured.
• Correcting historical vulnerabilities of SSL and previous TLS versions minimizes exploitable gaps.

Increased user trust:

• Implementing TLS 1.2 builds credibility, as users see a secure connection (browser padlock) and feel confident providing sensitive information.
• Organizations adopting secure protocols also comply with industry standards such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), essential for e-commerce or financial sites.

Regulatory compliance:

• Data protection regulations like GDPR in Europe or data protection laws elsewhere mandate using protocols ensuring high security levels.
• TLS 1.2 meets these requirements and is widely recommended by regulatory authorities.

Optimization for modern environments:

• Despite being around for several years, TLS 1.2 remains compatible and recommended for most web applications, cloud services, and online banking systems.
• Performance is generally adequate when properly configured and maintained.

TLS 1.2 has become almost mandatory for any business, startup, or online service aiming to protect users from cyber risks and maintain its reputation.

The Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 protocol secures online communication through encryption, authentication, and data integrity mechanisms. Broadly, its operation can be summarized into four stages:

• Connection request: The client (e.g., your browser) sends an initial message to the server, indicating its desire to establish a secure connection.
• Server response: The server responds by sending its digital certificate, which includes its public key and information necessary to verify its identity.
• Certificate verification: The client validates the authenticity of the certificate with a certification authority. If valid, both parties continue the process.

• Session key generation: The client creates a secret key (session key), encrypting it with the server's public key.
• Sending the encrypted key: The client sends this encrypted key to the server.
• Session establishment: By decrypting the message with its private key, the server and client now share the same secret key. This key will be used throughout the session to encrypt and decrypt data.

• Symmetric encryption: Once the session key is shared, symmetric encryption (like AES) is used to protect the data traveling between client and server. Because both use the same key, data is encrypted quickly and efficiently.
• Data integrity: TLS 1.2 employs secure hash functions (SHA-256 or SHA-384) to ensure that received data matches exactly what was sent, verifying that information hasn't been altered during transmission.

• Authentication: Ensures both client and server are who they claim to be, using digital certificates issued by trusted authorities.
• Integrity: Checks data modifications through Message Authentication Codes (MACs) and hash functions.
• Confidentiality: Protects information via encryption, ensuring only authorized parties can read it.

Collectively, TLS 1.2 provides a secure environment for online transactions and sensitive data exchanges through robust encryption, secure key exchange, and constant data integrity verification. Hence, many organizations have adopted this protocol as standard protection for their digital platforms.

Implementing or upgrading to TLS 1.2 requires careful planning to avoid errors. These are essential steps:

• Verify that your web server and operating system support TLS 1.2.
• Update software and cryptographic libraries to ensure compatibility.

• Enable only secure versions of TLS (1.2 and ideally 1.3) and disable SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, and TLS 1.1.
• Select strong cipher suites and avoid outdated algorithms.

• Obtain your certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
• Ensure your certificate supports modern encryption and secure signatures (e.g., SHA-256).

• Follow the certificate provider’s instructions and your web server’s guidelines for installing the certificate and private key.
• Test the chain of trust to confirm correct configuration.

• Use online analysis tools to verify your configuration is secure and free of vulnerabilities.
• Address any low scores or warnings appearing in the report.

• Security is dynamic: regularly apply patches and updates.
• Review new recommendations on encryption standards and maintain a certificate rotation policy to prevent expirations or prolonged vulnerabilities.

Properly implementing TLS 1.2 will help you meet regulations, protect user confidentiality, and strengthen your reputation.

While TLS 1.2 remains relevant and widely used, TLS 1.3 represents the near future of secure internet communications, offering advanced features that further enhance experience and protection:

Reduced Latency

• TLS 1.3 streamlines the handshake process, reducing communication rounds. With “0-RTT” (Zero Round Trip Time), resuming previous sessions can be nearly instantaneous, improving load speeds for critical websites and applications.
  

Removal of Obsolete Algorithms

• Eliminates insecure or outdated encryption methods, simplifying configuration and reducing attack surfaces.
• Reduces server administration complexity, avoiding potential misconfigurations.
  

Enhanced Privacy

• Encrypts even parts of initial handshake communication, complicating efforts by attackers attempting to eavesdrop on session establishments.
• Improves protection against replay attacks and adds safeguards against future decryption if information is intercepted and stored.
  

Business Relevance

• Businesses and financial institutions seeking maximum security and performance are already adopting TLS 1.3.
• Migrating to TLS 1.3 becomes logical once TLS 1.2 is solidly implemented and recognized within an organization.

Currently, TLS 1.2 meets critical security requirements, but TLS 1.3 undoubtedly represents the next milestone in cryptographic protection for the coming years.

In a digital world where cyber threats continuously evolve, TLS 1.2 remains essential for protecting data integrity and confidentiality. Its adoption ensures secure connections and reinforces user trust in online platforms.

Prometeo, committed to security, employs TLS 1.2 or higher to ensure financial data travels encrypted and protected. This protocol, along with advanced security practices, enables Prometeo to lead in safeguarding sensitive information, maintaining customer trust, and securing a safe digital environment.