OV is a type of SSL/TLS certificate that provides a higher authentication level than Domain Validation (DV) certificates. OV certificates not only verify domain ownership but also validate the organization behind the domain. Key aspects of Organization Validation certificates include:
- Verification Process: The Certificate Authority (CA) conducts a more thorough vetting process, which includes verifying the organization’s legal existence, physical address, and operational status.
- Issuance Time: Due to the more extensive validation process, OV certificates typically take longer to issue than DV certificates, usually within 1-3 business days.
- Trust Indicators: OV certificates display the organization’s name in the certificate details, providing additional trust signals to visitors.
- Encryption Strength: Like other SSL/TLS certificates, OV certificates provide strong encryption for data transmission between server and client.
- Cost: OV certificates are generally more expensive than DV certificates but less costly than Extended Validation (EV) certificates.
Use cases for OV certificates:
- E-commerce websites handling sensitive customer data
- Financial services websites not requiring the highest level of validation
- Healthcare organizations’ public-facing websites
- Educational institutions and government agencies
Benefits for businesses:
- Enhanced credibility: The additional validation provides a higher level of trust for visitors
- Improved brand perception: Displaying the organization’s name in the certificate details can reinforce brand identity
- Balanced approach: OV certificates offer a middle ground between basic DV and more stringent EV certificates
- Suitable for most business applications: They provide adequate security and validation for many business contexts
Considerations when implementing OV certificates:
- Validation requirements: Be prepared to provide documentation proving your organization’s legitimacy
- Renewal process: Plan for the additional time needed for validation when renewing certificates
- Certificate management: Implement robust processes for managing and monitoring OV certificates across your digital properties
While OV certificates offer enhanced validation compared to DV certificates, they don’t provide the same visual cues in browser address bars as EV certificates. However, for many businesses, OV certificates balance security, trust, and cost-effectiveness.
Organization Validation certificates are precious for businesses that want to demonstrate a higher level of credibility without the additional cost and complexity of EV certificates. They offer a way to differentiate from basic DV certificates while assuring customers about the legitimacy of the organization behind the website.
OV certificates represent a solid middle-ground solution for businesses considering their SSL/TLS certificate options that can meet the security and trust requirements of many commercial and institutional websites.