Why are certificates often given long lifespans despite best practices?

Certificates are often assigned long lifespans primarily because of the cumbersome generation process. Generating and deploying certificates can require significant effort and resources. This process can involve creating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), going through a verification process with Certificate Authorities (CAs), and ensuring that all systems or services interacting with the certificate are properly updated to utilize it.

When certificates have a lengthy lifespan, organizations can limit the frequency of this complex process, reducing operational overhead and the potential for human error. This is particularly relevant in environments where continuous integration and deployment are practiced, as frequent certificate rotation would necessitate corresponding updates in deployment pipelines and configurations.

While there might be instances where cost savings, compatibility, or automated deployments play a role in decision-making, the complexity and resource demands of the generation process are significant factors leading organizations to opt for longer certificate lifespans.