---
schema_version: "1"
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title: SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
collection: tableau
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/tableau/current/en-us/server-linux/ssl.md
canonical_url: https://help.tableau.com/current/server-linux/en-us/ssl.htm
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content_type: documentation
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description: Overview of using SSL to encrypt communication with Tableau Server.
---
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# SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

In these pages we use the term "SSL" to refer broadly to the security technology that establishes an encrypted link between web servers and clients. This includes TLS (Transport Layer Security), the successor to SSL and the technology used by Tableau Server. To use SSL, you need to install an SSL certificate on Tableau Server.

**Important:** Beginning with version 2025.2 (Tableau Desktop), 2025.3 (Tableau Server), and June 2025 (Tableau Cloud), Tableau uses OpenSSL 3.4.x and Level-2 security. Level-2 security requires keys of 2048 bits or longer. Any existing Level-1 security keys will no longer work and you will need to generate and deploy a new key pair. If you have been generating at least 2048-bit length keys as recommended, no action is necessary. For more information see [Generate a key](https://help.tableau.com/current/server-linux/en-us/ssl_cert_create.htm#generate-key).

You can configure Tableau Server to use SSL in the following ways:

- Use SSL for external HTTP traffic from clients (Tableau Desktop, web browsers, APIs, and tabcmd.exe) to Tableau Server.
- Use mutual (two-way) SSL between clients (Tableau Desktop, web browsers, APIs, and tabcmd.exe) and Tableau Server. If you are using mutual SSL, each client also needs a certificate.
- Use SSL for HTTP traffic between internal server components and the repository. This can be configured as required for all connections, optional for user connections, or off for all connections (not recommended).
- Use SSL for communication between internal server components and services. This capability was added in version 2026.3.0.

**Note:** Tableau Server uses SSL for user authentication. SSL is not used to handle permissions and authorization to content (data sources and workbooks) hosted on Tableau Server.

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