Wildcard certificates themselves are not inherently risky. However, like any security measure, their effectiveness depends on proper implementation and management.
Here are some considerations regarding wildcard certificates:
Scope of Protection: Wildcard certificates cover all subdomains of a given domain. While this can be convenient for securing numerous subdomains, it also means that if the private key associated with the wildcard certificate is compromised, all subdomains are at risk.
Management Complexity: Managing wildcard certificates requires careful oversight to ensure that they are applied only where necessary and that access to the private key is tightly controlled.
Visibility and Control: Wildcard certificates cover multiple subdomains; they can sometimes be overlooked or forgotten during security audits or certificate renewals, potentially leading to security gaps if not correctly managed.
Use Case Suitability: Wildcard certificates are suitable for environments with many subdomains that require encryption. However, individual certificates may be more appropriate for environments where granular control or specific security requirements are necessary for each subdomain.