What is an Organization Code Signing Certificate? Why Use It?

Digitally signing software and executables is necessary for development institutions to prove their content source and code integrity. It helps identify that the file or application is from an authentic and trusted source when users download your software from the internet.

If the identity is not verified, the browsers or the Operating Systems will send out an alert or display unknown publisher warnings. However, these security warnings can easily be bypassed with the code signing certificate. Moreover, these digital security solutions also ensure that the software code is not modified or altered after it was digitally signed.

Signing your software products offers many such advantages but organizations are often in a dilemma to choose the best fit. There are primarily two options for selecting the code signing certificate: Organization and Extended. In this article, we’ll get to know about organization validation for code signing certificates and why you should consider it.

What is an Organization Code Signing Certificate?

In organization code signing certificates, software companies need to undergo a light and formal validation and authentication process. The certificate authorities will ask for certain types of documents to check and verify the legality of your business.

Proving your legality should be no problem if you have registered your business and have up to date records. However, you must ensure that all your information and business names are accurate and reflected before submitting your documents for the organization validation process.

Once you submit the documents, the CA will thoroughly check and issue a digital signature to sign your software, executables, and scripts. The CA can verify your details with an online government database and check your business registration status.

It goes without saying that the details you provide should match the government records for instant certificate issuance. Other than government databases, you can also provide official registration documents, legal opinion letters, and others to prove the legitimacy of your organization.

This whole procedure is known as organization validation for issuing the code signing certificate. It takes about 1 to 3 business days for certificate issuing authorities like Sectigo or Comodo to verify your details and issue the OV code signing certificate.

Alternatively, you can also buy OV code signing certificate from trusted distributors at affordable rates. They offer the same OV certificate but at cheaper prices than the CA. Thus, you can save some bucks while you get a genuine and cheap code signing certificate.

How to Get an Organization Code Signing Certificate?

As mentioned earlier, organization validation code signing certificates can be purchased from renowned CAs of their trusted distributors. Here’s how you can buy an OV code signing certificate:

• Look for reliable and cheap code signing certificate providers
• Buy the OV certificate and raise a code signing request.
• You’ll have to go through a light and formal validation for source authenticity.
• You need to submit the legal documents required by the CA for organization verification.
• Once the CA is satisfied with the documents, you will get an OV code signing certificate to integrate and sign your software code.

Why You Should Use an Organization Code Signing Certificate?

Now let’s discuss some of the reasons why to use the organization certificate:

• Instant Removal of Warnings:

Your organization’s name will be included as a publisher once you obtain an OV Code Signing Certificate and sign your programs. It will assist in removing the unknown publisher’s warning and give out the impression that you are the true author. It’ll also confirm that the software code hasn’t been altered since it was signed.

 

• Unlimited Signing:
  If the validity term of your OV code signing certificate is in effect, you can digitally sign as many software and executables as you like. For instance, if a code signing certificate is valid for two years, you can sign an unlimited number of software and executables during that time.

• Software Timestamping:
  In OV code signing, you can timestamp your digital signature. It’s a special feature included in the certificate and can be used when signing software. It ensures that the certificate will be recognized on all signed software even after the validity has expired.

 

• Compatibility:
  You may code sign executables, software, and other script files for several platforms with one OV certificate. You can digitally sign Adobe, Java, JAR, Windows software, and even mobile apps using the OV code signing certificate.

Conclusion

An organization code signing certificate is often suitable for small businesses to sign their executable and software files. Signing your software should be your moral responsibility to assure users that the software is coming from a genuine source.

You can buy an OV code signing certificate from a reputable certificate issuing authority or from reliable and economical vendors. These distributors will also assist you with the vetting procedure for the organization validation by submitting a code signing request. Once complete, the CA will issue an Organization Validation Code Signing Certificate in your name.