Our new research that analyzed over 100,000 secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate records has uncovered a startling statistic—40% of enterprises are at risk of SSL certificate-related outages due to reliance on WHOIS-based domain control validation (DCV)—a method that is no longer accepted since July 15, 2025.
DCV is a crucial step in issuing and renewing SSL certificates. Yet, nearly half of enterprises still rely on WHOIS-based email for this process—despite a 2024 announcement by the CA/B Forum to deprecate it due to known security flaws.
Companies need to adopt alternative methods or face downtime upon their next certificate renewal.
The risk is real—and it’s not just about 2025
Not only are 40% of organizations unprepared, but 17% don’t even know how they’re validating their domains today. This lack of visibility opens the door to operational disruption, reputation harm, and security breaches.
After 2025, DCV re-use periods and certificate lifespans will begin to shrink dramatically every year—ultimately reaching just 10 days for DCV re-use periods, and 47 days for certificate life cycles by 2029. This means eight certificate renewals per year, with each issuance, renewal, and re-issue, demanding DCV. Manual methods won’t be sustainable.
| Timeframe | Life cycle for certificates | Domain control validation (DCV) re-use period |
| March 15, 2026 | 200-day certificates | DCV re-use 200 days |
| March 15, 2027 | 100-day certificates | DCV re-use 100 days |
| March 15, 2029 | 47-day certificates | DCV re-use 10 days |
How CSC is helping enterprises be future ready
To support businesses in this critical transition, CSC has launched Domain Control Validation as a Service (DCVaaS)—a real-time validation solution that reduces certificate renewal time by up to 99%. Best of all, it’s free for CSC clients.
We also offer solutions tailored for every SSL management setup—whether you’re using digital certificates transactionally, or you use an application programming interface (API) or automate. Our custom approach to certificate management gives you the flexibility and agility you’ll need to cope with the SSL industry changes in the next few years.
Request a consultation and safeguard your digital operations before that 40% becomes 100%.
