Let’s Encrypt
Let’s Encrypt is a free, automated, and open
certificate authority (CA), run for the public’s
benefit. Let’s Encrypt is a service provided by
the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG).
The key principles behind Let’s Encrypt are:
- Free: Anyone who owns a domain name can use
Let’s Encrypt to obtain a trusted certificate
at zero cost.
- Automatic: Software running on a web server can
interact with Let’s Encrypt to painlessly obtain a
certificate, securely configure it for use, and automatically
take care of renewal.
- Secure: Let’s Encrypt will serve as a
platform for advancing TLS security best practices, both on
the CA side and by helping site operators properly secure
their servers.
- Transparent: All certificates issued or revoked
will be publicly recorded and available for anyone to
inspect.
- Open: The automatic issuance and renewal protocol
will be published as an open standard that others can adopt.
- Cooperative: Much like the underlying Internet
protocols themselves, Let’s Encrypt is a joint effort
to benefit the community, beyond the control of any
one organization.
Internet Security Research Group (ISRG)
ISRG is a California public
benefit corporation, and is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt
organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ISRG’s mission is to reduce financial, technological,
and education barriers to secure communication over the
Internet.
ISRG is proudly sponsored by a diverse group of
organizations, from non-profits to Fortune 100
companies. We believe we can set an example for how everyone
interested in a more secure Internet can work together to provide
digital infrastructure for the public’s
benefit. See this page for more on
our sponsors.
Our current board members are:
- Josh Aas (Mozilla) — ISRG Executive Director
- Stephen Ludin (Akamai)
- Dave Ward (Cisco)
- J. Alex Halderman (University of Michigan)
- Andreas Gal (Mozilla)
- Jennifer Granick (Stanford Law School)
- Alex Polvi (CoreOS)
- Peter Eckersley (EFF) — Observer
Technical Advisory Board (TAB)
Our TAB consists of technical experts from major supporting organizations, as well as independent experts with strong CA/PKI industry experience.
- Rich Salz (Akamai)
- Joe Hildebrand (Cisco)
- Jacob Hoffman-Andrews (Electronic Frontier Foundation)
- J.C. Jones (Mozilla)
- Russ Housley (Independent)
- Ryan Hurst (Independent)