Before a browser proceeds with the encrypted session, it sends a request to the OCSP responder, a server managed by the Certificate Authority. A "good" status indicates the certificate is valid and trusted, while "revoked" means the certificate should no longer be used.
Real Time Certificate Status with OCSP: How It Works and Why It Matters
If the responder is unavailable or slow, the client may fail to establish a connection, which is why many implementations utilize OCSP stapling to optimize the process. The Evolution with OCSP Must-Staple The introduction of the OCSP Must-Staple extension has changed the dynamics of how the protocol is used.
An "unknown" status usually implies the certificate is not recognized by the responder, which typically results in the connection being terminated to ensure security. This flag, included in the certificate during issuance, instructs the server to include a valid OCSP response during the handshake.
Real Time Certificate Status with OCSP Stapling
The Role of the OCSP Responder An OCSP responder is a dedicated server operated by the Certificate Authority or a trusted third party that holds the signing keys for certificate status information. To mitigate this, extensions like Must-Staple are used to enforce OCSP stapling, where the web server fetches the status and caches it, removing the need for the client to contact the CA directly and improving connection speed.
More About Ocsp meaning
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