Abstract

The unprecedented increase in web-based services and digital systems has prompted the dire need for secure information transmission all over the global networks. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols form the basis of web communication that will provide confidentiality, authenticity, and integrity of data communication between different systems.

In this work, we have critically compared and contrasted Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Socket Layer (SSL), considering their design architectures, cryptographic mechanisms, and operational performance in modern applications. We took advantage of recent literature, global best practices, and international standards such as IETF RFC 8446 (TLS 1.3) and NIST SP 800-52 Rev.2 to evaluate security capability, vulnerabilities, and the strategies for migrations.

TLS 1.3 is now the basic standard due to its enhanced efficiency, lower latency of handshake, and better encryption through AEAD (Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data) algorithms; however, compatibility with legacy systems and inconsistencies in configuration pose serious challenges. We concluded by recommending the best practices for developers, system architects, and cybersecurity professionals to build robust, standards-compliant web applications

Keywords

  • Transport Layer Security
  • Secure Sockets Layer
  • Cryptographic
  • Authentication
  • Handshake
  • Network Se

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