commoneuropecongress2026

In 2026, encryption is no longer optional - it is a mandatory requirement for compliance, security frameworks (like NIS2), and protecting sensitive data. Yet, for many administrators, the world of certificates and the Digital Certificate Manager (DCM) can still feel intimidating.This session is designed to take the stress out of TLS.
To understand why we are doing this, we start by adopting a hacker's perspective, analyzing unencrypted network traffic to see just how exposed clear-text connections really are.Once the risk is clear, we build the solution using modern tools. We will demystify the jargon - explaining what Certificates, CSRs, and CAs actually are - and show how to leverage the new Navigator for i alongside the DCM to manage your security environment effectively.
Finally, we put theory into practice. We will walk through handling certificates from all common sources: whether you need to create a Local CA, import an existing Corporate/Windows Certificate, use a purchased Public Certificate, or automate everything via Let's Encrypt. We wrap up with modern operational tricks, such as securing Host Servers and monitoring certificate validity using SQL.Key Takeaways / Learning

Objectives:
1. Understand the Threat: See firsthand why "clear text" is a security breach waiting to happen by looking at network traces.
2. Master the Terminology: Gain a solid grasp of certificate concepts so you can navigate the DCM and Navigator for i with confidence.
3. Implement & Harden: Learn how to introduce encryption to your system and secure critical endpoints like Host Servers and Web Servers (regardless of the certificate source).4. Modern Operations & Automation: Discover how to leverage Let's Encrypt for free, automated certificates and use native SQL services to prevent expiration outages.