In this ever-evolving digital world where security always comes as the first priority, a network certificate is something that contributes to the safety of your data. It mainly refers to the digital security of your network especially when you are connecting with a public WiFi hotspot. The network certificate works like a security guard that not only verifies the information but also encrypts it to make it harder for hackers to steal it.
A network certificate in easy definition is a layer of protection or a digital ID card for the WiFi Network that you connect to. A network certificate uses fancy encryption techniques such as cryptography to scramble the data that you send or receive. Such a security practice can make it highly difficult for anyone who is trying to eavesdrop in order to understand the information.
Installing a network certificate on your Samsung device would mean that you have added an ID to your device’s redox of the trusted network. Such a certificate could be helpful in recognizing the network, activating the secure encrypted connection and verifying its legitimacy.
There are multiple benefits of installing the network certificates to the device. The very first one is the enhanced security. Network certificates ensure that your data travels through a safe funnel and make it harder for hackers to get access to information. Apart from this, network certificates understand the risks that are associated with Public WiFi networks, which is why, it provides an extra layer of protection and security when public WiFi is being used.
The Samsung device encounters various certificates, and each of them plays a significant and critical role in securing your online activities. Below are some of the most common ones
1.Identity Certificates:
Function: Identity certificates are just like digital passports for websites or servers. They verify the website's identity, ensuring you're connecting to a legitimate one and not a fake imposter site that may cause any security concerns overall. This is also referred to as certificate-based authentication (CBA)
Formats: Typically in .p12 and .pfx formats.
2. CA Certificates (Certificate Authority):
Function: The main function is to establish the trustworthiness of the provided certificates. They are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) and act as root certificates, verifying the legitimacy of other certificates (like identity certificates).
Formats: Typically come in .cem, .pem and .der formats
1.Wi-Fi Certificates:
Usage: The main purpose of these certificates is to secure your Wi-Fi connection. It does the encryption of data that is going to be transferred between your device and the Wi-Fi network, protecting your information from prying eyes.
Application Scenario: Essential for public Wi-Fi networks (coffee shops, airports) where eavesdropping is a potential threat.
VPN Certificates:
Usage: Virtual Private Network (VPN) certificates secure your connection even in a private network. This kind of certificate is majorly used by businesses. They create a secure tunnel, encrypting all your data traffic to and from the network.
Application Scenario: Ideal for business use when accessing sensitive company data on public networks or while travelling.
Email Certificates (S/MIME):
These are the ones that encrypt emails and digitally sign them, ensuring that the message that is sent remains confidential and authentic.
Client Certificates:
Used for two-way authentication, where both the server and your device verify each other's identities before establishing a connection.
Root Certificates:
The foundation of trust, these pre-installed certificates on your device verify the legitimacy of CA certificates.
Enterprise Certificates:
Issued by organizations for internal use, granting access to company resources or applications on your device.
SSL Certificates:
You might encounter this term interchangeably with identity certificates. SSL certificates secure website connections, establishing a safe encrypted channel for data transfer (often indicated by a padlock symbol in your browser).
There are multiple ways through which you can get the certificates, below are some of them.
This works when you contact your IT department for the Virtual Private Access or Enterprise certificate in order to access the company’s information securely.
Network administrators or service providers might provide certificates for secure Wi-Fi networks (e.g., office buildings).
Certificate Authorities (CAs) issue certificates, but this is a technical process best left to IT professionals.
There are a bunch of steps you need to follow in order to install the network certificates on Samsung Devices.
If you want to install an SSL Certificate on Samsung Devices, then there are a bunch of steps you can follow.
Samsung Knox is a proprietary security and management framework pre-installed on most Samsung mobile devices. It enables remote management, app control, and security policy enforcement to ensure device compliance and data protection.
To utilize its capabilities, you typically need to use Knox Service Plugin (KSP) in conjunction with an MDM solution like AirDroid Business. This allows organizations to remotely manage and configure Samsung devices effectively.
Note: Knox Service Plugin (KSP) is a lightweight Device Policy Controller developed by Samsung based on OEMConfig. It acts as a bridge between MDM solutions and Samsung Knox APIs, enabling IT administrators to remotely manage and configure Samsung devices. It also enables MDM solutions to apply advanced Samsung-specific device policies through Android's managed app configurations.
Steps to Manage and Install Certificates
Step 1 Enroll Your Devices on AirDroid Business
Choose a device enrollment method that suits your needs. You can enroll your devices via KME (Knox Mobile Enrollment), Android Enterprise(AE), or Device Owner (DO) enrollment.
Step 2 Configure Certificate Provision
1. For Knox Mobile Enrollment(KME)/Android Enterprise (AE) Enrollment: If your devices are enrolled through KME or AE, you have two configuration options.
Via Managed Google Play: Go to Managed Google Play and add the "Knox Service Plugin" app on your devices. Once installed, configure the app settings to set up the certificate.
Via Policy/OEMConfig Settings: Access the policy settings and navigate to Policy & Kiosk Config Files>Policy>OEMConfig to configure the necessary certificate settings.
2.For Device Owner Enrollment: If your devices are enrolled using the Device Owner method, you can only configure certificate settings through policy.
Installation of certificates in Samsung devices is usually a smooth process, but occasional bumps can occur. Let's troubleshoot some common issues you might face on your Samsung device:
The solution could be to ensure the certificate file format (PEM or DER) is compatible with your device and double-check if you received the correct certificate type (Wi-Fi, VPN, etc.)
One of the solutions could be to verify that the certificate is from a trusted source. Also, Check for typos when entering the certificate password (if applicable). You can also restart your Samsung device and try again.
For a solution, ensure that you have the correct certificate installed for that specific network. Check if the network requires additional login credentials besides the certificate.
For a smoother and more manageable experience for certificate installation for enhanced security practices, consider using AirDroid Business. This tool helps IT departments effortlessly deploy and manage certificates across company devices, saving time and ensuring consistent security.
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