Prep for 47-Day TLS Certificate

How Blubyte’s NetScaler Managed Services keep you secure and compliant

The impending reduction of TLS certificate lifespans to 47 days by 2029 marks a seismic shift in digital security practices. For businesses relying on Citrix NetScaler, this change demands urgent action to avoid service disruptions and security gaps. Here’s how Blubyte’s NetScaler Managed Services are pioneering solutions to turn this challenge into an opportunity.

TLS certificate lifespan timeline: What you need to know

The CA/Browser Forum—a consortium including Google, Apple, and Microsoft, has mandated phased reductions for TLS certificates:

phased reductions for TLS certificates

This timeline leaves no room for manual certificate management. Enterprises must adopt automation or risk outages from expired certificates, a leading cause of website downtime and security breaches.

Blubyte’s Automated Certificate Renewal: Built for the 47-Day Era

Our NetScaler Managed Services now include zero-touch TLS certificate automation, specifically engineered for this new reality:

1. Let’s Encrypt Integration via ACME Protocol

• Automatically issues and renews certificates using Let’s Encrypt’s free CA.

• Configures NetScaler ADCs in real time without human intervention.

• Managing multiple named certificates, mapped to the corresponding SNI entry.

2. Proactive Monitoring and Alerting

• Dashboard visibility: Track certificate status across all managed NetScaler instances.

• Smart alerts: Notify Blubyte’s team (and optionally customers) of renewal failures due to:

  • ADC connectivity issues

  • ACME protocol errors (e.g., DNS validation failures)

  • Configuration conflicts.

3. Hybrid CA Support (Roadmap).

While currently optimized for Let’s Encrypt, we’re developing:

• Paid CA integration (e.g., DigiCert, Sectigo) using customer-owned accounts.

• Role-based access controls for certificate management.

• Customizable renewal windows.

Why manual processes will fail

The 47-day lifespan makes traditional methods unsustainable:

• Human error: many organizations report certificate-related outages due to manual oversight.

• Compliance risks: Short-lived certificates demand strict adherence to CAB Forum policies.

• Cost escalation: Managing hundreds of monthly renewals manually will strain IT budgets.

How Blubyte clients stay ahead

Our managed service clients already benefit from:

• Pre-configured automation: Certificates renewed 30 days before expiry.

• Unified reporting: Centralized logs for audits and compliance checks.

• 24/7 support: Blubyte’s NetScaler experts handle edge cases.

• Enhance API integrations: Connect to SIEM tools like Splunk for holistic monitoring.

The future of certificate management

As the industry shifts toward quantum-resistant algorithms and shorter lifespans, Blubyte is adapting the platform to:

1. Support post-quantum cryptography (PQC): Preparing for NIST-standardized algorithms.

2. Expand CA partnerships: Adding Entrust, GlobalSign, and region-specific authorities.

Stay up-to-date and benefit

The 47-day deadline isn’t distant—it’s a creeping reality requiring immediate preparation. Blubyte’s NetScaler Managed Services provide:

• Automated TLS/SSL workflows compliant with CAB Forum mandates.

• Expertise in hybrid cloud ADC configurations.

• Future-proofing against upcoming cryptographic standards.

Contact Blubyte to schedule a free certificate lifecycle audit and transition plan for your Netscaler.