What does the acronym SSL stand for in cybersecurity?

The acronym SSL stands for "Secure Socket Layer." This protocol was developed to provide secure communication over a computer network. It operates between the transport layer and the application layer in the OSI model, providing security for data transmitted via web browsers and servers through encryption.

SSL ensures that the data transferred between two endpoints, usually a client (like a web browser) and a server, remains private and integral by encrypting the information. This is crucial in preventing eavesdropping or tampering during transmission, making it essential for secure transactions on the internet, such as online banking, e-commerce, and sending personal information.

Understanding SSL is fundamental in cybersecurity, as it laid the groundwork for modern secure communication protocols, such as TLS (Transport Layer Security), which has since replaced it but is built upon the same foundational concepts.