# Ensure Universal SSL is enabled

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_1790787216339158-ensure-universal-ssl-is-enabled
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [Cloudflare](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/c_1790786902273285) › [Checks](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/f_1790786912003423)
- Last updated: 2026-09-30
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

**Description**

Ensure Universal SSL is enabled for the zone, so that Cloudflare automatically issues and renews free edge certificates for the domain and its first-level subdomains. This allows visitors to connect to the site over HTTPS.

**Rationale**

Without an edge certificate, visitors cannot connect to proxied hostnames over HTTPS, and traffic between visitors and Cloudflare may not be encrypted. Universal SSL gives every proxied zone a valid certificate that renews automatically, removing the risk of expired certificates.

**Impact**

-   Visitors can connect over HTTPS
    
-   Certificates are issued and renewed automatically
    
-   Disabling it without another certificate breaks HTTPS for the zone
    

**Default Value**

By default, Universal SSL is enabled for all zones.

**Pre-Requisites**

-   Cloudflare account with Administrator or SSL/TLS permissions for the zone
    

**Test Plan**

1.  Sign in to the Cloudflare dashboard at [https://dash.cloudflare.com](https://dash.cloudflare.com/).
    
2.  Select your account and the domain (zone) you want to review.
    
3.  Go to SSL/TLS > Edge Certificates.
    
4.  Find Disable Universal SSL. If the button shows Disable Universal SSL, Universal SSL is enabled; if it shows Enable Universal SSL, it is disabled.
    
5.  Verify that a Universal certificate is listed with the status Active.
    
6.  If Universal SSL is disabled, follow the implementation steps.
    

**Implementation Steps**

1.  Sign in to the Cloudflare dashboard at [https://dash.cloudflare.com](https://dash.cloudflare.com/).
    
2.  Select your account and the domain (zone) you want to review.
    
3.  Go to SSL/TLS > Edge Certificates.
    
4.  For Disable Universal SSL, select Enable Universal SSL.
    
5.  Wait for the Universal certificate status to change to Active.
    

**Backout Plan**

1.  Sign in to the Cloudflare dashboard at [https://dash.cloudflare.com](https://dash.cloudflare.com/).
    
2.  Select your account and the domain (zone) you want to review.
    
3.  Go to SSL/TLS > Edge Certificates.
    
4.  Make sure another certificate (such as an Advanced or custom certificate) covers the hostnames.
    
5.  For Disable Universal SSL, select Disable Universal SSL, read the warnings, select I Understand, and select Confirm.
    

**Reference**

-   [https://developers.cloudflare.com/ssl/edge-certificates/universal-ssl/](https://developers.cloudflare.com/ssl/edge-certificates/universal-ssl/)

## Related compliance guidance

- [SOC 2 compliance: a practical implementation guide for cloud-native SaaS teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/soc-2-trust-services-criteria): Configuration checks like this one are the technical half of a SOC 2 / ISO 27001 programme — the guide shows where they fit, what else an auditor expects, and how to evidence them.
- [ISO/IEC 27001:2022 compliance: a practical implementation guide](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/iso-27001-2022): ISO 27001 Annex A.8 (technological controls) is where cloud hardening evidence lands; the guide shows how to run the ISMS around it.