What is the purpose of an 'SSL Certificate' in Cisco ISE?

An SSL certificate plays a crucial role in securing communication between the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and clients. SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, is a protocol that provides a secure channel over a computer network. The use of an SSL certificate ensures that any data transmitted between ISE and client devices is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping or tampering by malicious actors.

When clients connect to the ISE, they rely on the SSL certificate to establish a secured connection. This is especially important since ISE often handles sensitive information, including user credentials and identity data. The presence of a valid SSL certificate assures clients that they are communicating with the authentic ISE server and not with an imposter, further reinforcing the security framework within which the identity and access management functions operate.

In summary, the primary purpose of an SSL certificate in Cisco ISE is to secure the communication channels between the server and clients effectively, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality during interactions.