Kong simplifies the complex process of setting up and maintaining certificate-based security for API gateways, providing lightweight solutions for developers and operations professionals who often face challenges with encryption and authentication. One key feature of Kong is its ability to manage certificates efficiently through the use of mutual TLS (mTLS) in both standard and enterprise versions, allowing for secure client authentication and authorization in industries such as banking. Kong supports various use cases, including presenting certificates to clients and upstream services, as well as trusting upstream certificates, which ensures mutual trust and secure connections. It offers automation capabilities through APIs and integration with Let's Encrypt for certificate management, enabling seamless updates and configurations. By offering these functionalities, Kong enables users to achieve enhanced security and compliance with internal and governmental regulations, while maintaining ease of use and integration with existing systems.