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What is an EV SSL Certificate?

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Diving into “what is an EV SSL certificate?” to ensure you find the right SSL cert option for you!

From a technical security perspective, all SSL certificates accomplish the same thing – securing the communication between a browser and server with an HTTPS connection. However, some SSL certificates, like EV SSL certificates enable some additional features.

There are many variations and other considerations that should go into the process of selecting the right SSL certificates for you. You need to consider warranties, customer service, CA brand reputation, SSL certificate type and, of course, validation levels. Let’s take a look at one of those validation levels – specifically let’s look at what is EV SSL…

What is an EV SSL Certificate? A Quick Breakdown

The short answer to “What is an EV SSL certificate?” is that it’s the highest validation level you can obtain for an SSL certificate. You will go through the most stringent validation process, but you will get a few key benefits:

  • You’ll have the most respected SSL certificate on the market
  • Your site users will be able to confirm your verified organization details in their browser
  • Your site users will be able to avoid fake/scam websites

What Are Validation Levels?

Generally, all types of SSL certificates offer the same level of encryption technology – securing the communications between the browser and web server, which ensures the data/info in transit can’t be intercepted. You also will receive the padlock icon in your URL regardless of the type of SSL certificate your purchase and install. However, the validation level does alter a few things.

The validation level reflects the amount of authentication you must go through to receive an SSL certificate. The most basic level of validation only checks your domain name, which means that even a hacker can complete the validation process. Higher levels of validation also check organization details to keep hackers out. Validation level differences are noticeable through the SSL certificate details shown in the user’s browser (more on that in the next section).

What is an EV SSL Certificate?

The EV SSL certificate is the highest level of validation. The process of getting validated for an EV SSL cert includes: 

  • An enrollment form
  • Organization authentication
  • Operational existence
  • Physical address
  • Telephone verification
  • Domain authentication
  • Final verification call

Yes, it’s a pretty thorough process. So, you might be thinking, why bother getting an EV SSL certificate?

EV SSL Benefit #1: Display Your Verified Organization Details in the Browser

For one, savvy users and shoppers will be able to view your organizational details easily in their browser, while other validation levels don’t offer the same identity display. This goes a long way in building trust with your customer as they can verify the organization’s identity much easier.

All the user needs to do click on the padlock icon and they’ll see your verified organization name:

What is EV SSL - example

If they want to see more details, they can click on Certificate, then click on “details” and then “subject.”

What is an EV SSL certificate - example

EV SSL Benefit #2: Higher Liability Protection

You’re also typically going to get a higher warranty with an EV SSL certificate. Take the warranty range here on SectigoStore.com.  EV SSL cert warranties range from $1M-$2M while DV SSL certs range from $10k-$50k. SSL warranties are highly important as they allow you to maintain a level of accountability on the CA.

EV SSL Benefit #3: Maintain Compliance & Follow Recommended Best Practices

Here’s another great benefit: the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), which is the “centre of network and information security expertise for the EU, its member states, the private sector and Europe’s citizens” recommends the practice of using an EV SSL certificate on your website.

Ultimately, EV SSL certificates act as a higher symbol of trust for users and show a higher level of commitment to security by you.

Sectigo EV SSL Certificates from $79.84/year!

Get the lowest prices on trusted SSL certificates from Sectigo.

Shop for Sectigo SSL Certificates

What Are the Other Validation Levels?

There are two other SSL certificate validation levels that you should know:

DV SSL certificates – This is the least stringent level of validation. Also, it’s the fastest issuance process (often taking just minutes). You only need to get your domain validated. The DV cert is perfect for more simple websites, such as a blog.

OV SSL Certificates – This is generally regarded as the middle option. There aren’t as many steps in the validation process as an EV cert, but more than a DV cert. The process includes organization authentication, locality presence, telephone verification, domain verification and a final verification call.

SectigoStore.com Has Trusted EV SSL Certificates at Affordable Prices
So, we have answered “what is an EV SSL certificate?” If you’re looking for a wide range of EV SSL certificates from a trusted CA, look no further than SectigoStore.com.  From excellent prices to 24/7 support, this is the place for your EV SSL shopping!

OV vs EV SSL Certificate – Which One Should I Buy?

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The rise of e-commerce and adoption of the digital platform as a mode to conduct business led to the subsequent need to ensure that these online transactions ensued securely. Netscape’s secure sockets layer (SSL) internet protocol, which later evolved into the more advanced and secure transport layer security (TLS) protocol, set the ball rolling. As time progressed, the digital certificate industry came up with different products – for example, domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV) SSL certificates. These solutions targeted different sections of the market. But before we get into comparisons like OV vs EV SSL, it makes sense to look at both validation levels individually.

Now bear in mind, all SSL/TLS certificates provide the same level of encryption. You can purchase a certificate based on its validation level or its functionality. Without further delay, let us dive right into OV vs EV SSL. Spoiler alert? The difference lies in the verification process conducted by a trusted third-party certificate authority (CA).

What Is OV SSL Certificate

An organization validated (OV) certificate is an SSL certificate issued by the certificate authority (CA) after verifying the organization’s identity. An OV certificate mentions the issuer’s identity right on the user’s browser, and therefore, it builds more trust. A CA carries out more validation in the OV certificate than a domain validation (DV) certificate.

OV vs EV SSL: What Is an OV SSL Certificate?

An Organization Validation (OV) certificate is an SSL certificate issued after limited verification by the Certificate Authority (CA). An OV certificate verifies the existence of an organization and the ownership of the domain name. Generally, a CA will take 1-2 days for the issuance of an OV certificate.

Organization validation is one of the most feasible solutions for enterprise environments and intranets if a moderate level of user trust is sufficient. The verification process is more detailed than domain validation, but it is not as thorough as extended validation. 

To begin with, for any SSL certificate, the applicant needs to generate the certificate signing request (CSR). The issuing certificate authority (CA), apart from verifying that the applicant has rights to the specific domain name, also conducts additional investigations of the applicant’s business at a basic level. This information is displayed on the certificate for enhanced trust from the site’s end users. An OV SSL certificate can also be used to secure IP addresses.

OV SSL certificate example

OV vs EV SSL: What Is an EV SSL Certificate?

If you go for an EV SSL certificate, the CA will perform a rigorous verification of the site’s ownership as well as the legitimacy of the company before issuing your certificate. The vetting process is more intensive than any other validation level and thus commands higher trust with end-users. Website owners will need to provide acceptable documents for the company during the validation process. These verifying documents attest that they have rights to the specific domain and that the business itself is legitimate.

The EV process ensures a thorough investigation is performed on the organization, and this information is displayed on the certificate itself. Historically, it’s also been the only certificate that enables the organization’s name to appear on the browser to indicate your website’s identity.

EV in Chrome
EV in Firefox

OV vs EV SSL: The Difference Between the Two

As you probably know by now, whether you choose to go with an OV vs EV certificate (or vice versa), both are excellent choices if you are looking to switch from HTTP to HTTPs. They are both SSL certificates, therefore both provide an encrypted communication channel of the same strength between the client and the server. Moreover, both these certificates offer extremely generous warranties just in case something goes wrong with your certificate.

Get an OV SSL certificate starting at $33.69 per year

The table below makes a comparison on OV vs EV certificate.

OV SSL EV SSL
With OV SSL certificates, CAs verify the domain ownership and conduct an adequate investigation to confirm the legitimacy of a company. In case of EV SSL certificates, apart from CAs verifying the domain ownership, a rigorous investigation is conducted with regards to the legitimacy of a company.
OV certificates look similar to DV certificates, but when you inspect an OV certificate, it displays the organization’s name inside. This is not the case with DV certificates. Previously, to indicate that a website uses EV SSL certificates, a green address bar with the company’s name would display. Depending on which browser you use, the company name appears before the URL (on Firefox) or after the padlock is clicked (on Chrome).
Example: Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/) uses an OV SSL certificate. Example: Sectigo (https://sectigostore.com/) uses an EV SSL certificate.
CAs usually require a day or two to issue an OV certificate. It can be issued in a single day if an applicant is in a rush and requests for the process to be expedited. It typically takes a CA a few business days to issue an EV certificate, but this process can be expedited in some cases.
OV SSL certificates establish a moderate level of trust in its users. The level of trust in EV certificates is higher due to the intensive verification process.
OV certificates are more expensive than DV certificates. EV certificates are generally more expensive than DV and OV certificates.

OV vs EV SSL: Which One Should You Buy?

When it comes down to making a choice between the two certificates, it really depends on your business needs and your budget constraints. Undoubtedly, an EV SSL certificate would give you the highest possible validation level and establish greater trust in your customer base. However, it’s ultimately up to you to weigh the advantages of each certificate to determine which is best suited to meet your goals and financial needs.

Get an EV SSL certificate starting at $88 per year