Learning Resources
FixMyCert's interactive demos and guides cover the essentials, but sometimes you want to go deeper. These are courses and resources I personally recommend—ones that helped me understand PKI and TLS at a level that made me effective in the field.
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Featured Course
Practical TLS
by Ed Harmoush (Practical Networking)
The most comprehensive TLS course available. Ed breaks down complex cryptographic concepts into digestible lessons with real-world packet captures, hands-on labs, and clear explanations. Perfect for anyone who wants to truly understand how TLS works under the hood.
What you'll learn:
- Deep dive into TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 handshakes
- Real packet captures with Wireshark analysis
- Certificate chain validation explained step-by-step
- Cipher suite selection and security implications
- Troubleshooting real-world TLS issues
- Lifetime access with updates
Why I recommend this: Ed's teaching style is exceptional. He doesn't just explain what happens in a TLS handshake—he shows you why each step matters. The Wireshark labs alone are worth it.
Recommended Books
Bulletproof TLS and PKI, Second Edition
The definitive reference for deploying TLS and PKI securely. Written by Ivan Ristic, creator of SSL Labs, this 512-page book covers everything from cryptography fundamentals to advanced deployment strategies. Essential reading for anyone responsible for server security.
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Why I recommend this: Ivan Ristic created SSL Labs—the tool every security professional uses to test TLS configurations. This book distills his expertise into the most authoritative resource on TLS and PKI available.
Free Resources on FixMyCert
Before diving into paid courses, make sure you've explored everything available here for free: