Lean TLS Configuration: Minimal, Secure, Fast

The server handshake is your weakest link. Every extra cipher, every loose protocol, every misconfigured certificate is an open door. Lean TLS configuration closes those doors fast.

TLS is the core of secure data in transit. But most deployments are bloated. They ship with outdated algorithms, weak ciphers, and verbose settings that invite attack. A lean TLS setup strips the protocol to its most secure, most efficient form.

Start with protocols. Disable SSLv3, TLS 1.0, and TLS 1.1. Force TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 only. Remove legacy fallbacks. This cuts out known exploits and reduces negotiation time.

Next, ciphers. Use modern suites with forward secrecy and strong authentication. Prefer AES-GCM over AES-CBC. Drop RSA key exchange for ECDHE. Remove any 3DES or RC4. Keep the list tight—no excess options.

Certificates matter as much as ciphers. Use at least 2048-bit RSA or, better, 256-bit ECDSA. Rotate often. Enable OCSP stapling to speed up revocation checks. Configure the chain cleanly—no unnecessary intermediates.

Lean TLS configuration is not just about speed. It reduces the attack surface. Every unused algorithm or fallback is an opportunity for downgrade attacks. Every extra negotiation is a chance for human error. Minimal is secure, minimal is fast.

Automate configuration checks. Tools like openssl and browser test suites catch mistakes. Keep your configs in version control. Treat TLS as code, not a side setting.

A server with lean TLS is harder to break, faster to connect, and easier to maintain. Don’t leave it as theory. See a live lean TLS implementation in minutes at hoop.dev.