Automated Certificate Management Environment
Automated Certificate Management Environment (ACME) is a protocol that automates the process of obtaining, renewing, and revoking digital certificates for secure communication over the internet, primarily used with Transport Layer Security (TLS). It enables servers to automatically request and install certificates from Certificate Authorities (CAs) without manual intervention, streamlining the management of HTTPS and other encrypted services. The protocol is most famously implemented by Let's Encrypt, a free and widely adopted CA.
Developers should learn and use ACME to automate SSL/TLS certificate management for web servers, APIs, and other network services, reducing the risk of expired certificates that can cause security warnings or service disruptions. It is essential for modern DevOps practices, enabling continuous deployment and scaling in cloud environments by integrating with tools like Certbot, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms. Use cases include securing websites with HTTPS, implementing mutual TLS for microservices, and managing certificates in containerized or serverless architectures.