ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROTOCOLS FOR SECURE DATA EXCHANGE VIA THE INTERNET

The HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a protocol for secure communication between computers online. It's the same HTTPS you see in your browser at the beginning of the URL on a secure website.Protocols are a type of language that computer applications use to exchange data privately. There are many different types of protocols with their own unique advantages and disadvantages.HTTPS is a common protocol for electronic data interchange (EDI). EDI is a technology that businesses and other organizations use for electronic communication. HTTPS allows EDI users to communicate via an internet connection without risking the privacy of the data being exchanged.

WHAT IS HYPERTEXT TRANSFER PROTOCOL SECURE?

HTTPS is the secure version of HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) coordinated the development of HTTP in 1989.

• HTTP – Computers use HTTP for requesting and transmitting files (such as web pages) over the internet or private networks. HTTP is a request-response protocol that operates as a client/server connection. While HTTP is most often executed across TCP/IP, it can also be executed on any other internet protocol.
• HTTPS – HTTPS combines the SSL/TLS protocol and HTTP to provide encryption of data and verification of the server identity when exchanging data online. Most businesses use HTTPS for online payment transactions, and it's one of the most common protocols for B2B data transactions.

THE ADVANTAGE OF HTTPS OVER HTTP

The primary advantage of HTTPS is the heightened security from the use of an SSL certificate and encryption. HTTP cannot guarantee that a transaction has reached the correct recipient because it does not require any certificates. An SSL certificate verifies the authenticity of both the sender and receiver in a transaction, ensuring that information is only sent to the intended party.The SSL and TLS protocols automatically encrypt data by using a set of private keys, public keys, and ciphers. Encryption ensures that data is secure and inaccessible to outside parties.

THE DISADVANTAGES OF HTTPS

HTTPS requires more maintenance than HTTP to remain secure. SSL certificates vary in price but can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Since SSL certificates authenticate users, they require installation, configuration, and regular updating to stay current.Since HTTPS encrypts data and authenticates users, it requires more server resources. This can cause a slight delay in data exchange while the server is experiencing peak usage.

WHY HTTPS IS IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES USING EDI

Organizations often exchange EDI over a value-added network (VAN), which is available without an internet connection. However, whenever exchanging EDI over the internet, HTTPS is the preferred protocol to use for securing data in transit and storage.In most cases, businesses opt for a VAN because of its reliability and cost-effectiveness. However, some EDI trading partners will require data exchange over the internet using HTTPS.Since the risk of data theft is higher than ever before, businesses should always leverage the most secure technology they can when exchanging information online. The combination of EDI and HTTPS provides a secure and reliable method for sending payments, placing orders, sharing sensitive information, or exchanging any other data with trading partners.HTTPS is only one of many EDI protocols that businesses are responsible for configuring when using EDI. However, that burden is completely eliminated when you use BOLD VAN as your EDI provider.We will configure all of your EDI protocols for you, as well as handle trading partner onboarding, EDI compliance, and EDI data translation. Plus, we offer the best pricing model of any EDI service provider – Trading Partner Pricing. With this unique approach, you get EDI data each month for one low rate based on the number of active trading partners in your network that month.Learn more about Trading Partner Pricing!