Which scenario would require the use of an SSL certificate?

The scenario that requires the use of an SSL certificate is transmitting sensitive personal information over the internet. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is essential for establishing a secure encrypted connection between a user's browser and a web server. This ensures that any data transferred, such as personal information, login credentials, or payment details, is protected from interception or eavesdropping by malicious actors.

When users submit sensitive information online, it is critical to safeguard this data from potential breaches or unauthorized access. An SSL certificate helps prevent these risks by encrypting the data during transmission, providing both security and reassurance to the users that their information is being handled securely.

In contrast to this, providing a public database for information access, accessing non-sensitive public websites, and hosting static web pages typically do not involve sensitive data exchanges, thereby not necessitating the use of an SSL certificate to the same extent. However, the increasing emphasis on user privacy and data protection has led many organizations to adopt SSL certificates even for non-sensitive information, though it is not strictly required in those cases.