How long do digital certificates typically last?

Digital certificates typically have a validity period of one to three years. This timeframe is established to balance security and usability. Shorter certificate lifespans help manage security risks, as they require regular renewal, ensuring that compromised or outdated keys can be replaced before they can be exploited. This practice mitigates the chance of long-term vulnerabilities being taken advantage of, therefore enhancing the integrity of the security infrastructure.

While longer certificate validity periods, such as those lasting up to five years, might seem convenient, they can introduce greater risk if a certificate is compromised. Conversely, certificates that last only six months to a year could lead to excessive administrative burdens and operational challenges for organizations as they would need to renew certificates more frequently. Indefinitely valid certificates do not align with current best practices in PKI, where periodic validation of identity and legitimacy is essential for maintaining trust.