12d Synergy requires certificates for secure transfer (HTTPS) when using Publishing, Web File Drops, Web App and when using custom user logins.
Certificates are synonymous to passports. They verify/establish the identity/trust of a public key(encryption method) to an entity (business, domain name, etc.) as verified by a third party (A Certificate Authority).
Without certificates, hackers/unauthorized personnel/attackers could easily compromise and take control of a company’s data residing in their IT infrastructure.