Simplifying Certificate Management: A Comprehensive Guide for SAP Systems and STRUST

Let’s take a look at what SAP certificate management means and why it is important in the SAP ecosystem.

SSL/TLS certificates are used to encrypt communication between various applications or between applications and clients. This encryption is a vital component of system security in your organization.

The CA/Browser Forum outlines in its “Baseline Requirements” that certificates must not be valid for more than one year. Therefore, it is necessary to detect in a timely manner when certificates are expiring and where they are being used, in order to proactively initiate their re-issuance and renew certificates accordingly.

If a security certificate of an application expires, it may lead to limitations or even interruptions in your business processes. Renewing SSL certificates is a process that takes time and effort to complete, and if not recognized in time, it may result in extended disruptions.

Certificate management refers to the process of creating, storing, distributing, and revoking digital certificates. In SAP systems, certificate management plays a central role, as it provides an additional layer of security and enhances the overall resilience of the IT infrastructure. In an era of escalating cybersecurity threats, efficient certificate management is no longer optional but a necessity.

An Overview of STRUST (SAP Trust Center Services)

Next, we introduce STRUST, the SAP Trust Center Services module. It is SAP’s proprietary tool for managing certificates. Its significance lies in its ability to handle every aspect of certificate management within an SAP system.

As the foundation for certificate management in SAP systems, STRUST ensures that all network connections are authenticated and encrypted, providing security for both users and administrators.

The path to robust and efficient certificate management begins with understanding the SAP system and its integral component, STRUST. SAP systems are complex yet flexible enterprise software solutions that address various business requirements such as finance, logistics, human resources, and more. Today, however, we focus on one specific aspect of these systems—certificate management.

STRUST offers functions that simplify the complexity of certificate management. For instance, certificates are divided into different storages or views (SSL server, SSL client, etc.) depending on their purpose.

Certificate management in SAP systems is a fundamental part of the security infrastructure. It revolves around the management of digital certificates, which are electronic credentials that authenticate the identity of systems, users, and servers. This process includes the issuance, renewal, and revocation of certificates, each playing a key role in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted over the network.

Certificate Stores

What exactly are certificate stores? They serve as secure locations within a system where digital certificates are stored and managed. As mentioned earlier, these digital certificates are essential for authenticating system identities and ensuring secure and trustworthy communication between systems.

The Importance of Certificate Stores in SAP Systems

Within the robust framework of an SAP system, certificate stores play a crucial role. They not only house digital certificates but also facilitate their efficient management. This means they allow the import, export, renewal, and even revocation of certificates as needed. The ability to perform these operations easily directly impacts the overall security and reliability of the SAP system.

Consider this: without a secure place to store and manage these digital certificates, it would be like leaving the keys to your house on the front porch. It’s not hard to imagine the risks that could arise! Similarly, an SAP system without effective certificate management through certificate stores is vulnerable to unauthorized access or fraudulent activity. Certificate stores are therefore much more than just storage spaces.

Different Types of Certificate Stores in SAP Systems

Let’s now examine the various types of certificate stores typically found in SAP systems:

SSL Server PSEThe application server’s PSE used to secure HTTP connections via SSL protocol (HTTPS) when the application server is the server component of the connection.

Anonymous SSL Client PSEThe application server uses the anonymous SSL client PSE to connect to other web servers that require only server-side authentication. It is not used for its own authentication.

Standard SSL Client PSEThe SAP Web AS uses the standard SSL client PSE to authenticate to other web servers when SSL client authentication is required and no individual SSL client PSE is specified for the connection.

Individual SSL Client PSEsThe SAP Web AS can also use additional individual SSL client PSEs to authenticate to other web servers. These allow specifying different "identities" that the application server should use for various services.

Navigating these different types of certificate stores can be complex, but fortunately, STRUST simplifies this process. It offers a unified platform to manage all these stores, ensuring secure and efficient certificate management.

In the upcoming sections, we will delve into the certificate renewal process, discuss the optimal frequency for re-issuance, and offer tips to simplify certificate management.

The Certificate Renewal Process

This process becomes necessary when certificates approach their expiration date or due to other security requirements. But how should it be approached?

Step 1: Proactive Detection of Expiring CertificatesThe Importance of Timely Alerts

Digital certificates are like ID cards for your SAP systems. They confirm the system’s identity and ensure secure data communication. Just like an ID card, these certificates have an expiration date. If not renewed in time, it may lead to system outages, disrupted communication, or even potential data breaches. Hence, the importance of timely renewal cannot be overstated.

How often should you renew your certificates? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency largely depends on the certificate’s validity period, which can vary depending on the certificate authority and type of certificate. Generally, shorter validity periods require more frequent renewals. According to industry best practices and standards, it is generally recommended to renew certificates annually.

An even more effective strategy is to stay ahead of the curve by renewing certificates before their expiration date. This prevents last-minute scrambles, allows time for testing, and ensures a seamless transition from old to new certificates. It is also advisable to maintain a certificate inventory and set up automatic reminders for upcoming renewals.

Remember, renewing certificates is not a task to postpone. By regularly updating your certificates, you enhance your SAP system’s security, ensure uninterrupted operations, and build trust with your stakeholders. Whether you opt for a shorter or longer renewal cycle, it’s important to plan ahead and be proactive.

Check proactively and regularly whether certificates are about to expire or have already expired. Certificates from all certificate stores (PSE & STRUST) in an SAP system are identified and checked against an expiration threshold. Notifications are triggered once certificates are in a critical state.

Relevant certificate information includes:

• CERTIFICATE STORE

• SUBJECT

• SUBJECT ALTERNATIVE NAME

• EXPIRATION DATE

• ISSUER

• SERIAL NUMBER

• PATH

Step 3: Issuing or Renewing Certificates

Issued certificates may be self-signed, signed by an internal PKI, or by a known third-party PKI (Public Key Infrastructure). These certificates are used by various applications to communicate to end users whether the certificates are trusted or not.

The key requirement is that the ROOT issuing certificate must be added and maintained in the ROOT CA list of the SAP certificate store.

In SAP, application identification with issued server certificates is based on DNS names maintained in the “Subject Alternative Name” attribute. If multiple DNS names exist for the same application, they must all be listed in the certificate. If not, the application will show an invalid certificate when accessed.

To meet these requirements, a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is necessary. In SAP ABAP systems, this is done using STRUST to generate certificates for various certificate stores. The PKI is a sophisticated system that issues, distributes, and verifies digital certificates. These certificates are used within the PKI to ensure secure digital communication. The certificate itself is protected by a digital signature that can be verified with the public key of the certificate issuer.

To confirm the authenticity of the issuer's key, another digital certificate is required. This creates a chain of certificates where each verifies the authenticity of the previous one. This chain is known as a validation path or certification path. The authenticity of the final certificate can be accepted without further verification by communication partners.

A key role in the PKI is played by the certificate authority (CA), which is responsible for issuing digital certificates and verifying the applicant’s details. It is responsible for provisioning, assignment, integrity, and possible revocation of certificates, forming the heart of the PKI.

Step 2: Distribution of Trusted Certificates in PSE Files and STRUST of Your SAP Systems

After receiving the renewed certificate, it is important to distribute it to all relevant parties, such as service providers, business partners, or various system components. This ensures they recognize and trust your system’s identity after renewal. Once distribution is complete, the certificate can be re-imported into your system to complete the process.

Newly issued SSL client certificates must be imported into the respective certificate stores via STRUST and then activated.

Importing a CSR-Generated Server Certificate

Import a new server certificate issued by a certification authority using a previously generated Certificate Signing Request (CSR) for the affected PSE file. The certificate is imported into a new PSE file, valid trusted certificates are adopted, and the original PSE is then overwritten in the file system and ABAP STRUST.

Importing a PKCS #12 Server Certificate

Import a new password-protected server certificate in PKCS #12 format provided by a certification authority. The certificate is imported into a new PSE file, valid trusted certificates are adopted, and the original PSE is then overwritten in the file system and ABAP STRUST.

Conclusion

STRUST serves as a central tool in maintaining system security, managing certificates, and ensuring seamless operations. As we approach this topic, it is essential to emphasize the need for efficient certificate management and STRUST’s undeniable contribution to this process.

Certificate management is not just an optional practice within SAP systems—it is a critical aspect.

An important strategy is the implementation of automation wherever possible. Automated notifications for certificate renewals, automated issuance processes, and automatic certificate updates in the system can significantly reduce manual effort and the risk of human error. This not only makes the management process more efficient but also enhances system security.

automatics offers the ideal tool to handle all tasks associated with the certificate lifecycle in an automated manner.