Renew and acknowledge service user SSL certificates
===================================================
In every Aiven for Apache Kafka® service, when the existing service user SSL certificate is close to expiration (approximately 3 months before the expiration date), a new certificate is automatically generated, including the renewal of the private key. 


SSL certificate renewal schedule
---------------------------------------------

SSL certificates for Aiven for Apache Kafka® services remain valid for 820 days (approximately 2 years and 3 months). To ensure uninterrupted service and enhance security, these certificates are renewed every 2 years as a proactive measure.

Each renewal process involves regenerating both the SSL certificate and its private key, reinforcing security and preserving integrity. Notifications about certificate renewals are sent to project admins, operators, and technical contacts associated with the service.

The existing certificate stays operational until its expiration date, allowing for a seamless transition to the new certificate.


Download the new SSL certificates
---------------------------------

The renewed SSL certificate is immediately available for download in the `Aiven Console <https://console.aiven.io/>`_, `API <https://api.aiven.io/doc/>`_, and :doc:`Aiven CLI </docs/tools/cli>` after the notification.

When accessing the `Aiven Console <https://console.aiven.io/>`_ service page for the Aiven for Apache Kafka service with expiring certificates, you will be notified with the following message:

.. image:: /images/products/kafka/ssl-cert-renewal.png
   :alt: Apache Kafka service user SSL certificate expiring message


To download the new certificate, 

1. Access the `Aiven Console <https://console.aiven.io/>`_
2. Select the Aiven for Apache Kafka service for which you want to download the new certificate.
3. Click on the **Users** from the sidebar.
4. Select the required user and click **Show access key** and **Show access cert** to download the new certificate.

.. image:: /images/products/kafka/new-ssl-cert-download.png
   :alt: Apache Kafka service user SSL certificate and access key download

.. Note::

    You can download the renewed SSL certificate and key using the :ref:`dedicated Aiven CLI command <avn_service_user_creds_download>` ``avn service user-creds-download``

Acknowledge new SSL certificate usage
------------------------------------------------

To stop receiving notifications about certificate expiration, you must confirm that the new certificate is in use.

To acknowledge the new SSL certificate with the `Aiven Console <https://console.aiven.io/>`_:

* Select ``...`` next to the certificate.
* Select ``Acknowledge certificate``.

.. Note::

    You can acknowledge the renewed SSL certificate using the :ref:`dedicated Aiven CLI command <avn_service_user_creds_acknowledge>` ``avn service user-creds-acknowledge``

    The same can be achieved with the Aiven API, using the "Modify service user credentials" `endpoint <https://api.aiven.io/doc/#operation/ServiceUserCredentialsModify>`_:

    .. code::

        curl --request PUT \
            --url https://api.aiven.io/v1/project/<project>/service/<service>/user/<username> \
            --header 'Authorization: Bearer <bearer token>' \
            --header 'content-type: application/json' \
            --data '{"operation": "acknowledge-renewal"}'