* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog)
* [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/corporate/)
* [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/)
* A Knowledge Gap When It C...

# A Knowledge Gap When It Comes to SSL On Your Network

[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2014%2F06%2Fknowledge-gap-comes-ssl-network%2F)  
[](https://twitter.com/share?text=A+Knowledge+Gap+When+It+Comes+to+SSL+On+Your+Network&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2014%2F06%2Fknowledge-gap-comes-ssl-network%2F)  
[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2014%2F06%2Fknowledge-gap-comes-ssl-network%2F&title=A+Knowledge+Gap+When+It+Comes+to+SSL+On+Your+Network&summary=&source=)  
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2014/06/knowledge-gap-comes-ssl-network/&ts=markdown)  
\[\](mailto:?subject=A Knowledge Gap When It Comes to SSL On Your Network)  
Link copied  
By [Chad Berndtson](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/cberndston/?ts=markdown "Posts by Chad Berndtson")  
Jun 12, 2014  
2 minutes  
[Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/?ts=markdown)  
[Reports](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/reports/?ts=markdown)  
[Application Usage and Threat Report](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/application-usage-and-threat-report/?ts=markdown)  
[AUTR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/autr/?ts=markdown)  
[encryption](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/encryption/?ts=markdown)  
[OpenSSL](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/openssl/?ts=markdown)  
[SSL](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/ssl/?ts=markdown)

How much do you really know about the use of SSL encryption by applications running on your network? It's probably more widespread than you think.

Our [2014 Application Usage and Threat Report](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/whitepapers/application-usage-and-threat-report.html) analyzes the relationship between threats and applications on enterprise networks, including how attackers use traditional exploit techniques in innovative ways to disguise dangerous threat activity. Among the key findings from this year's report is that 34 percent of the applications observed use SSL encryption. Most organizations simply don't have a good handle on which applications those are -- and therefore, don't have a good handle on applications that might be responsible for malicious activity.

We've talked about SSL in the past and shared findings in previous versions of the Application Usage and Threat Report. But now it's a much bigger issue than it was even a year ago. If an administrator doesn't know how many applications running on the network use SSL, he or she also doesn't know how many of those applications use unpatched versions of OpenSSL, which may directly or indirectly expose the organization to Heartbleed or other vulnerabilities.

Scott Simkin, Palo Alto Networks Senior Cybersecurity Analyst, looks at this knowledge gap more closely in a [recent column for SecurityWeek](http://www.securityweek.com/when-youre-talking-ssl-heartbleed-isnt-only-thing-worry-about), along with how security administrators should consider SSL decryption in their strategies.

### For more

* [Download the 2014 Application Usage and Threat Report](http://connect.paloaltonetworks.com/autr-en)
* [Interactively browse the data using our AUTR visualization tool](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/app-usage-risk-report-visualization-2014/)
* [Watch a video discussing key findings from the AUTR](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP7oNaVB92s&list=UU2UPStk47kvhBn8P7Q5BaAg)
* [Read Palo Alto Networks recommendations for Heartbleed](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/heartbleed/)

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/?ts=markdown), [Data Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/data-security/?ts=markdown), [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/incident-response/?ts=markdown), [Reports](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/reports/?ts=markdown), [Unit 42](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/unit42/?ts=markdown)

[#### The Case for Multidomain Visibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2025/10/case-for-multidomain-visibility/)

### [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown), [Reports](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/reports/?ts=markdown), [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-prevention-2/?ts=markdown), [Threat Research](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/threat-research/?ts=markdown), [Unit 42](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/unit42/?ts=markdown)

[#### Top Three Ways Organizations Were Unprepared for Cyberattacks in 2023](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2024/11/top-three-ways-organizations-were-unprepared-for-cyberattacks-in-2023/)

### [Application usage \& risk report](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/application-usage-risk-report/?ts=markdown), [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/?ts=markdown), [Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/events/?ts=markdown)

[#### A View Into the Cyber3 Conference -- Crafting Security in a Less Secure World](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2015/11/a-view-into-the-cyber3-conference-crafting-security-in-a-less-secure-world/)

### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Cloud Native Application Protection Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cloud-native-application-protection-platforms/?ts=markdown), [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/cloud-security/category/cloud-security/?ts=markdown), [CNAPP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/cloud-security/category/cnapp/?ts=markdown), [Reports](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/reports/?ts=markdown)

[#### Where Cloud Security Stands Today and Where AI Breaks It](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2025/12/cloud-security-2025-report-insights/)

### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [News \& Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/sase/category/news-events/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/sase/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Reports](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/reports/?ts=markdown), [Zero Trust Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/zero-trust-security/?ts=markdown)

[#### Redefining Workspace: Prisma Browser Secures Leadership in Frost Radar](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2025/12/prisma-browser-secures-leadership-in-frost-radar/)

### [IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/iot-security/?ts=markdown), [Reports](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/reports/?ts=markdown)

[#### 2025 Report Exposes Widespread Device Security Risks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/network-security/2025-report-exposes-widespread-device-security-risks/)

### Subscribe to the Blog!

Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more.
![spinner](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up  
Please enter a valid email.  
By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.  
{#footer} {#footer}

## Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)

## Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)
* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)
* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)
* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)
* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)
* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)
* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)

## Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)
* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)
* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)
* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)
* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)
* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)
* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)
* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)
* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)
* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)
* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)
* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)
* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* EN  
  Select your language