Prerequisites:

1. PRTG Installation: Ensure PRTG Network Monitor is installed and running in your environment.
2. Access to Certificate Authorities: You need access to the certificate authorities (CAs) responsible for issuing and renewing SSL/TLS certificates.
3. Administrator Access: Obtain administrative access to configure sensors and settings in PRTG.

Setting Up SSL/TLS Certificate Monitoring:

1. Add Certificate Authority Device(s): In PRTG, navigate to "Devices" and add the certificate authority server(s) responsible for issuing and renewing SSL/TLS certificates.
2. Install HTTP Advanced Sensors: Click on the certificate authority device you added, then go to "Add Sensor" > "By Type" > Select "HTTP Advanced Sensor."
3. Configure Sensor Parameters: Define the parameters for monitoring, including the URL of the certificate authority's certificate issuance and renewal endpoints.
4. Select Performance Metrics: Choose the performance metrics you want to monitor, such as certificate issuance success rates, certificate expiration dates, and renewal status.
5. Test Configuration: Verify that the sensors can successfully retrieve SSL/TLS certificate issuance and renewal data from the certificate authority server(s).

Monitoring SSL/TLS Certificate Issuance and Renewal:

1. Real-time Monitoring: Access the PRTG dashboard to view real-time updates on SSL/TLS certificate issuance and renewal status.
2. Certificate Issuance: Monitor SSL/TLS certificate issuance events to ensure that certificates are issued promptly and accurately in accordance with organizational requirements.
3. Certificate Expiration: Track SSL/TLS certificate expiration dates to identify certificates that are approaching expiration and require renewal.
4. Renewal Status: Monitor SSL/TLS certificate renewal status to ensure that certificate renewals are initiated and completed before certificates expire.
5. Success Rates: Measure SSL/TLS certificate issuance and renewal success rates to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the certificate management process.

Best Practices:

1. Certificate Lifecycle Management: Implement a comprehensive certificate lifecycle management process, including proactive monitoring, automated renewal, and timely replacement of expired certificates.
2. Automation: Automate SSL/TLS certificate issuance and renewal processes wherever possible to reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and ensure timely certificate updates.
3. Certificate Inventory: Maintain an up-to-date inventory of SSL/TLS certificates deployed in your environment, including expiration dates, issuance authorities, and renewal status.
4. Alerting: Set up alerts to notify administrators immediately when SSL/TLS certificate issuance or renewal failures occur. Configure alerts based on specific criteria, such as expiration date thresholds or renewal failure rates.
5. Compliance Monitoring: Monitor SSL/TLS certificate compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, HIPAA) to ensure adherence to security best practices and avoid compliance violations.

Troubleshooting:

1. Connection Issues: Ensure that PRTG can establish HTTP connections to the certificate authority's issuance and renewal endpoints and retrieve certificate lifecycle data.
2. Sensor Configuration: Double-check sensor settings, including URL and authentication details, and verify that the correct sensor type is used.
3. Certificate Authority Configuration: Review certificate authority configuration settings, including certificate issuance and renewal policies, to troubleshoot certificate management issues.
4. Certificate Expiration: Investigate SSL/TLS certificate expiration dates and renewal status to identify certificates that require immediate attention and renewal.
5. Automation Scripts: Verify the functionality of any automation scripts or tools used for SSL/TLS certificate issuance and renewal to ensure they are functioning correctly and initiating renewal processes as expected.

By leveraging PRTG Network Monitor to track SSL/TLS certificate issuance and renewal, you can ensure the security, continuity, and compliance of your network services. Real-time monitoring, proactive alerting, and comprehensive analysis enable you to detect and address certificate lifecycle events promptly, minimize service disruptions, and maintain a secure and reliable network environment. With PRTG, you can effectively manage and optimize your SSL/TLS certificate infrastructure to meet the security and operational needs of your organization.