A single Internet protocol, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), has quickly become the standard for securing the communications between users and Internet sites, and for making secured Web transactions possible. Today, an image of strong site security is necessary for overcoming the shopper's inherent worry of purchasing items online, but SSL is actually critical for any business that requires secure communications over the Web - from ASPs to the enterprise. Unfortunately, processing SSL can degrade server performance considerably, crippling site response times. According to a Networkshop test (1), servers experienced as much as a fifty-fold performance degradation due to SSL processing. The solution are products that offload SSL processing from servers, improving site performance while maintaining the security that end users demand. Accordingly, businesses must understand the how and why's of SSL-processing devices in order to make the best choice for their site. This white paper explains the market for SSL technology, how SSL works, and the benefits of adding an SSL acceleration product into a site's architecture.