Final answer:
The SSL/TLS protocol operates in two major steps: one is establishing a secure connection between a client and server, and the other is the encryption of data to ensure secure communication over the internet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols are designed to provide secure communication over the Internet. There are two main steps in the SSL/TLS handshake process: Establishing a Secure Connection: The first step involves the client and server exchanging necessary details to set up a secure connection. This includes the server sending its digital certificate to the client. The client verifies the server's certificate with the certificate authority (CA), thus ensuring the server's legitimacy. If the verification is successful, this step concludes with the generation of session keys for encryption. Encryption of Data: Once the keys are established, all data transferred between the client and server is encrypted using these keys. The encryption ensures that the information is unreadable to anyone except for the intended recipient, thus maintaining confidentiality and data integrity. To summarize, the SSL/TLS protocols work in two major steps: establishing a secure connection through a handshake, and encryption of data to ensure secure communications.