Prerequisites:

1. PRTG Installation: Ensure PRTG Network Monitor is installed and operational in your environment.
2. Access to SSL/TLS Endpoints: You need access to the SSL/TLS endpoints (e.g., web servers, application servers) where SSL/TLS certificates are deployed.
3. Administrator Access: Obtain administrative privileges to configure sensors and settings in PRTG.

Setting Up SSL/TLS Certificate Monitoring:

1. Add SSL/TLS Endpoint(s): In PRTG, navigate to "Devices" and add the SSL/TLS endpoint(s) you wish to monitor.
2. Install SSL/TLS Certificate Sensor: Click on the SSL/TLS endpoint device you added, then go to "Add Sensor" > "By Type" > Select "SSL Certificate Sensor."
3. Configure Sensor Parameters: Define the parameters for monitoring, including the hostname or IP address of the SSL/TLS endpoint, port number, and monitoring intervals.
4. Select Monitoring Metrics: Choose the monitoring metrics you want to track, such as certificate chain, certificate issuer authority, expiration date, and key length.
5. Test Configuration: Verify that the sensors can successfully retrieve SSL/TLS certificate information and monitor the certificate chain of trust.

Monitoring SSL/TLS Certificate Chain of Trust:

1. Real-time Monitoring: Access the PRTG dashboard to view real-time updates on SSL/TLS certificate chain of trust metrics.
2. Certificate Chain Validation: Monitor SSL/TLS certificate chains to verify that certificates are issued by trusted certificate authorities (CAs) and comply with industry standards and best practices.
3. Certificate Issuer Authority: Track the issuer authority of SSL/TLS certificates to ensure that certificates are issued by reputable and recognized CAs and establish trustworthiness.
4. Expiration Date Monitoring: Monitor SSL/TLS certificate expiration dates to ensure timely renewal and prevent certificate expiration-related security vulnerabilities.
5. Key Length Analysis: Analyze the key lengths of SSL/TLS certificates to assess cryptographic strength and resistance against potential attacks.

Best Practices:

1. Trusted CA Lists: Maintain a list of trusted certificate authorities (CAs) and validate SSL/TLS certificates against this list to ensure that only certificates issued by trusted CAs are accepted and trusted by client devices.
2. Certificate Transparency Logs: Enable certificate transparency monitoring to detect and validate SSL/TLS certificates against publicly logged certificate transparency logs and ensure transparency and accountability in certificate issuance and management processes.
3. Regular Certificate Audits: Conduct regular audits of SSL/TLS certificates to verify issuer authority, expiration dates, and certificate chain integrity and address any discrepancies or anomalies promptly.
4. Automated Renewal Workflows: Implement automated SSL/TLS certificate renewal workflows using certificate management tools or scripts to streamline renewal processes, reduce manual intervention, and minimize the risk of certificate expiration.
5. Certificate Revocation Checking: Implement certificate revocation checking mechanisms to validate the revocation status of SSL/TLS certificates and ensure that revoked certificates are not trusted or accepted by client devices.

Troubleshooting:

1. Connection Issues: Ensure that PRTG can establish HTTPS connections to the SSL/TLS endpoints and retrieve certificate information successfully.
2. Sensor Configuration: Double-check sensor settings, including hostname or IP address, port number, and monitoring intervals, and verify that SSL/TLS certificate monitoring is configured correctly.
3. Certificate Issuer Validation: Verify SSL/TLS certificate issuer authority against trusted CA lists and validate certificate chains to ensure that certificates are issued by trusted CAs and comply with industry standards and best practices.
4. Certificate Revocation Checking: Configure certificate revocation checking mechanisms to validate the revocation status of SSL/TLS certificates and ensure that revoked certificates are not trusted or accepted by client devices.
5. Certificate Chain Verification: Validate SSL/TLS certificate chains against trusted CA roots and intermediate certificates to ensure the integrity and completeness of certificate chains and detect any anomalies or discrepancies in certificate issuance and management processes.

By leveraging PRTG Network Monitor to monitor the SSL/TLS certificate chain of trust, you can ensure the authenticity, integrity, and reliability of SSL/TLS certificates deployed across network endpoints. Real-time monitoring, proactive alerting, and comprehensive analysis enable you to detect and address certificate chain issues promptly, minimize security risks, and maintain compliance with security policies and industry regulations. With PRTG, you can efficiently manage and monitor SSL/TLS certificate chain of trust to meet the operational requirements and security goals of your organization.