For those who aren’t already familiar, Transport Layer Security (TLS) works to secure data transmitted over the internet. That’s the short version, but it also delivers HTTPS encryption, as well as authentication. An evolution from Secure Socket Layer (SSL), it’s important to understand the differences in TLS 1.2 vs TLS 1.3.
You might get varying opinions on this from people in the industry, but both of these TLS versions are actively in use. The question comes down to which one you should focus on, and this in itself comes with several angles to review. In this article, you’ll get an easily digestible understanding of TLS 1.2 vs TLS 1.3, guiding you to what works best for your operational demands.
The Need to Know On TLS 1.2 vs TLS 1.3
Before you dive into the specifics of each version, it’s helpful to understand the two main protocols that TLS relies on. There’s the Transport Layer Security Handshake Protocol, which focuses on authentication and key exchange. With the Record Protocol, the core focus is on securing actual data transfer.
Looking at TLS 1.2, its popularity is found in reliability and enterprise compatibility. However, another truth to this is that it uses older cryptographic algorithms. With TLS 1.3, you can find several improvements, from faster TLS handshakes to stronger data encryption solutions, and more.
What is Transport Layer Security 1.2?
This version of TLS uses what’s called a 2-round-trip handshake. Breaking this down a little further, it requires multiple message exchanges between the client and server to establish a connection that’s secure.
Aside from that, here are a few other unique details about TLS 1.2:
- Slower TLS handshake
- Less secure cipher suites
- A single handshake requires exchanging 5 to 7 packets
- Supports over a hundred combinations of cryptographic algorithms
- Comparatively less reliable in web performance and user experience
It’s understandable if this makes you wonder how TLS services under 1.3 compare. While you’ll find a few shared similarities, it’s essential to navigate what sets them apart.
What is Transport Layer Security 1.3?
The newer version of TLS brings the handshake down to a single round trip. Inevitably, making it faster than 1.2, this is made possible by reducing the back-and-forth messages between the client and the server.
Here’s how TLS 1.3 compares at a glance:
- Faster TLS handshake
- More secure cipher suites
- Handshake generally only requires exchanging 0 to 3 packets
- Supports Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data (AEAD)
- Improved web performance and user experience
It might seem like TLS 1.3 is the obvious choice across the board, and in many circumstances, it is, without a doubt. On the other hand, TLS 1.2 is still in use, as both versions can help deliver on the balanced security organizations are looking for. Nevertheless, it’s still vital to make sure you don’t get their capabilities mixed up in the process of your decision-making.
A Side-by-Side of TLS 1.2 vs TLS 1.3
As with many other cybersecurity topics, it can all get pretty technical. The table below provides an easy comparison you can reference to help gain a technical understanding from a simplified point of view.
| Feature | TLS 1.2 | TLS 1.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Version Control | Allows version negotiation, but is susceptible to downgrade attacks | Negotiation is much simpler |
| Encryption Algorithms | Supports numerous algorithms, including weaker and legacy options | Focuses on the support of AEAD algorithms for much stronger security |
| Digital Signature | Utilizes various cipher suites, but selection depends on client-server compatibility | Faster and more secure, emphasizing ECDSA and RSASSA-PSS with smaller key sizes |
| Compression | Compression is supported and negotiates supported methods via Client Hello | Compression is disabled, sending a null byte to eliminate compression-related attacks |
| Handshake Latency | Requires 2 round trips | Requires only 1 round trip |
| Computational Overhead | Higher, and includes multiple cryptographic options and separate key exchange methods | Lower, simplifies its process with streamlined cipher suites |
| Overall Performance | Slower handshake with more overhead | Improvements with speed, reduced latency, and better overall efficiency |
While it’s pretty clear TLS 1.3 comes out on top in several areas, it isn’t your only choice here. It’s simple, TLS 1.2 is a jump from 1.1, and TLS 1.3 is a leap from 1.2. These are all important factors to take into account when it comes to the technicalities of business network security.
Final Thoughts
Don’t get it wrong, TLS 1.2 is still being used in today’s world, especially when it comes to legacy and enterprise-level environments. Many systems actively support both versions of TLS, but 1.3 does well to eliminate issues with outdated features.
Your choice between the two primarily comes down to the needs of your current infrastructure. As always, the Firewalls team is here if you’d like some assistance with narrowing down your decision-making. If you decide to reach out, we’ll make sure to deliver the expert opinion you need to make the right choice for your business.
