HARICA OV Code Signing Certificate

Sign software under a verified company identity and protect the integrity of applications, installers, libraries and other supported code. This guide explains HARICA Organization Validation, requester authorization, hardware protected keys, Windows and Java signing, lifecycle handling and the distinction between OV, IV and EV.

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OV Code Signing Organization Validated

Pricing via CertManager HARICA directs buyers to CertManager and sales for current pricing

ValidationOrganization Validation

Publisher identityLegal entity

Windows signingSupported

Java signingSupported

Private keySecure hardware

Security baselineFIPS 140-2 L2 / CC EAL4+

OVOrganization Validated publisher identity

Legal entityCompany identity represented in the certificate

HardwareProtected private key model

Windows + JavaCore signing scenarios documented by HARICA

What Is HARICA OV Code Signing?

HARICA OV Code Signing is an Organization Validated code signing certificate for enterprises and organizations. The certificate identifies the legal entity associated with the software publisher. A digital signature then connects that publisher identity to a specific software artifact and gives verification systems a way to detect changes made after signing.

Company publisher model

The defining distinction is the publisher identity. OV represents a legal entity rather than a natural person. That affects the validation process, certificate subject and the organization identity users can inspect when they review a software signature.

Legal entityOrganization validationPublisher identityCode signature

Trust path

Publisher: validated organization
Certificate: HARICA Code Signing OV
Public key: used for verification
Signature: applied to release artifact
Chain: certificate path to trusted CA

OV validates the organization identity. It does not certify that the software is malware free, vulnerability free, bug free or approved by Microsoft.

Who Is HARICA OV Code Signing For?

Software companies

Companies distributing applications under their registered organization identity.

SaaS and product companies

Organizations distributing desktop software, agents, utilities, installers or developer tools.

Enterprise software publishers

Teams publishing internally developed or commercially distributed software under a company identity.

Development organizations

Teams where production signing needs to represent the company rather than an individual developer.

Individual publisher

HARICA separates individuals and sole proprietorships into its IV workflow rather than the OV organization workflow.

EV specific workflow

Organizations with documented EV requirements should evaluate HARICA's separate EV process.

What Does Organization Validated Mean?

For HARICA OV Code Signing, Organization Validation is the process used to establish the organization information associated with the certificate request and verify that the requester can obtain a certificate for that organization. The current enrollment guide asks for organization information, organization validity details, applicant identification where applicable and an authorization method.

Legal entityThe request is made for an enterprise or organization.

Organization dataRequired organization information is entered in CertManager.

RequesterThe applicant's identity and authority are checked through the workflow.

AuthorizationA supported authorization method confirms the request.

CertificateHARICA validates the submitted data before issuance.

What Organization Information Appears in the Certificate?

When reviewing an issued certificate, developers and release teams should inspect the certificate rather than assuming the publisher identity from the application name. Useful fields include the subject and organization information, issuer, validity period, serial number, key usage, Extended Key Usage and certificate chain.

Certificate inspection
Subject      → Organization
Issuer       → HARICA issuing CA
Validity     → Certificate validity dates
Key Usage    → Digital Signature
Extended KU  → Code Signing
Chain        → End entity → Intermediate → Root trust path

What Does HARICA OV Establish?

Company identity

The certificate associates the software signature with the validated legal entity represented in the certificate.

Software integrity

The signature provides a mechanism for detecting changes to signed content after signing.

Publisher association

Users and software platforms can inspect the organization associated with the signature.

Certificate trust

The certificate can be evaluated through its certificate chain and applicable trust stores.

Signing authorization

The private key proves cryptographically that the party controlling that key created the signature.

What it does not prove

It does not establish that the software itself is safe, high quality or free from vulnerabilities.

What HARICA OV Does Not Guarantee

A code signing certificate is not a software security certification.

HARICA OV does not guarantee that software is malware free, vulnerability free or bug free. It does not mean Microsoft has approved an application, that SmartScreen warnings can never occur, that an organization is trustworthy for every purpose or that the application passed a security audit.

HARICA OV vs IV vs EV

Factor	IV	OV	EV
Publisher identity	Natural person	Legal entity	Legal entity
Individual developer	Yes	No	No
Company publisher	No	Yes	Yes
Organization validation	No	Yes	Enhanced
Company identity	No	Yes	Yes
EV specific requirements	No	No	Yes

HARICA OV Eligibility Requirements

The current HARICA OV enrollment workflow is built for enterprises or organizations. It asks for organization information, organization verification, applicant identification, an authorized request path and valid contact information. The signing key also has to follow HARICA's secure hardware requirements.

Legal entityRequest the certificate for an enterprise or organization.

Organization informationEnter and verify the organization details requested in CertManager.

Applicant identityProvide identification information when the workflow requires it.

Authorized requesterComplete one of HARICA's supported authorization methods.

Valid communicationMaintain the verified communication method used during validation.

Protected signing keyUse secure hardware meeting HARICA's stated security baseline.

Organizations formed less than three years ago: HARICA's current OV guide asks the applicant to identify whether the organization was formed more or less than three years before the request. For organizations under three years old, the guide adds identification and address verification document steps.

How HARICA Validates an OV Applicant

The current 2026 enrollment guide provides a concrete CertManager path instead of a generic CA workflow.

Create accountRegister and log in to HARICA CertManager.

Request OVSelect Code Signing and the OV certificate type.

OrganizationEnter and verify organization information.

AuthorizationSelect the available authorization method.

SubmitReview, accept terms and submit the request.

PaymentComplete the transaction through the CertManager payment flow.

ValidationHARICA validators review the submitted information.

AcceptAccept the certificate after validation is completed.

DownloadDownload the certificate in DER format.

ImportImport the certificate into the token management software.

HARICA OV Organization Validation for New Companies

Organization older than three years

The current guide proceeds through the standard organization verification path without the additional under three year document step.

Organization younger than three years

The current workflow asks for additional identification and address verification documents before the request proceeds.

This is a HARICA specific enrollment detail. It should not be presented as a universal requirement for every certificate authority.

Authorization Methods

HARICA currently documents two authorization methods in its OV Code Signing enrollment workflow.

Method A

HARICA validators contact the applicant through the verified communication method configured during the request and use that channel to verify the certificate request.

Method B

The legal representative of the organization fills in and digitally signs HARICA's authorization form using a personal signing certificate.

Documents Required for HARICA OV Code Signing

Applicant identity

Government issued identification information where the workflow requires it.

Organization

Legal entity information and organization validation data.

Address verification

Additional evidence where HARICA requests it, including the under three year organization path.

Authorization

Evidence that the requester is authorized to request the certificate through a supported method.

Document format

The current guide cautions that uploaded documents should be provided in PDF format.

Verification path

The exact evidence can depend on the organization and verification path used in CertManager.

Private Key Protection

The certificate is public information. The private key is the signing secret. Anyone who gains control of the private key can potentially create signatures that appear to originate from the organization represented by the certificate. HARICA's current Code Signing guidance therefore uses a secure hardware model.

Certificate

The certificate contains the public key and identity information that relying systems inspect. It can be distributed with signed software or made available through normal certificate chain mechanisms.

Private key

The private key performs the cryptographic signing operation and should remain protected inside compliant hardware. The current HARICA guide describes a cryptographic device option delivered to the applicant's physical address.

Security baseline: HARICA's current Code Signing guidance describes secure hardware at least at FIPS 140-2 Level 2 or Common Criteria EAL 4+.

HARICA OV Cryptographic Token

The token becomes part of the certificate lifecycle rather than being an optional accessory to the signing process.

Token deliveryHARICA can prepare and send a cryptographic device to the physical address.

InitializationUse the token management software and protect the device with its PIN.

Key generationThe signing key is held within the protected signing environment.

Certificate importAfter approval, download the DER certificate, rename it to .cer and import it.

SigningUse the token through the appropriate signing software and release process.

HARICA's current import workflow: the guide gives SafeNet Authentication Client as an example of token management software. It says the token PIN is sent by SMS when the device is received and explains importing the downloaded certificate into the token.

Can You Use Your Own HSM or Token?

HARICA's current Code Signing documentation is based on secure hardware protection and states a security baseline of at least FIPS 140-2 Level 2 or Common Criteria EAL 4+. For an enterprise signing environment, the relevant question is whether the existing hardware and provisioning process satisfy HARICA's current requirements and can support the certificate issuance model.

HSM

Suitable for centralized enterprise signing when the hardware and provisioning model meet the applicable requirements.

Hardware token

Suitable for controlled signing workflows where the certificate and private key are managed through token software.

Key generation

Plan where the signing key is generated, who controls the device and how certificate provisioning is performed.

Verify the current hardware path before ordering.

Hardware compatibility and provisioning details can affect an enterprise implementation, so confirm the exact supported device and issuance process with HARICA before using an existing HSM or token.

HARICA OV Code Signing on Windows

On Windows, code signing commonly uses Microsoft Authenticode and tools such as SignTool. The certificate identifies the publisher, while the signature protects the integrity of the signed artifact. The release team should also add a trusted timestamp and verify the final signature before distribution.

Typical Windows release sequence

Build application
        ↓
Generate final EXE / DLL / MSI
        ↓
Access protected signing key
        ↓
Sign with SignTool
        ↓
Add timestamp
        ↓
Verify signature and certificate chain
        ↓
Publish artifact

Related implementation resources: Microsoft Authenticode: Complete Guide, How to Sign an EXE File, and How to Sign an MSI Installer.

HARICA OV and Microsoft SmartScreen

Certificate identity, digital signature, application reputation and SmartScreen behavior are separate concepts. A valid OV certificate can establish a publisher identity and provide a verifiable signature, but it should not be described as a guarantee that SmartScreen warnings will disappear.

Certificate identity

Shows the organization associated with the certificate.

Digital signature

Allows verification of the signed content and certificate path.

Application reputation

Is a separate factor from simply having an OV certificate.

Publisher reputation

Can differ from certificate identity and is not established by OV alone.

SmartScreen

Should be treated as a separate Windows reputation and warning system.

EV distinction

HARICA's current product documentation states that EV is required for instant reputation on Microsoft Windows platforms.

HARICA OV and Windows Driver Signing

Code signing a driver and satisfying Microsoft's driver distribution or hardware program requirements are separate questions. A company should not assume that an OV certificate alone completes the Windows driver signing workflow.

Check the Microsoft program requirements independently.

HARICA's current product documentation associates EV with its described Windows Hardware Compatibility Program scenario. Therefore, this page does not present HARICA OV as equivalent to EV for that workflow.

HARICA OV for Java Code Signing

Java applications and libraries can use JAR signing workflows with tools such as jarsigner. The enterprise signing model remains the same: select the correct certificate, access the protected private key, sign the artifact, add a timestamp and verify the resulting certificate chain and signature.

JAR release flow
Build JAR
  ↓
Select HARICA OV certificate
  ↓
Use protected signing key
  ↓
Sign with jarsigner
  ↓
Timestamp
  ↓
Verify signature and certificate chain

Related implementation resource: How to Sign Java JAR Files.

Supported Software and Signing Scenarios

Software / artifact	Relevance
EXE	Code signing
DLL	Code signing
MSI	Code signing
CAB	Code signing
OCX	Code signing
XPI	Code signing
XAP	Code signing
Java JAR	Code signing
Windows applications	Code signing
Windows drivers	Additional Microsoft requirements apply
PowerShell / scripts	Use the signing technology applicable to the script and deployment environment

How to Sign Software With HARICA OV

BuildCreate the release artifact.

FreezeGenerate the final artifact that will be distributed.

SignUse the HARICA certificate with the protected private key.

TimestampAdd a trusted timestamp during the signing process.

VerifyCheck the signature, identity and chain before publication.

Windows

Use SignTool for the supported Windows signing workflow.

Java

Use jarsigner for Java archive signing and verification.

Timestamping

A timestamp records signing time through a timestamp authority and can support long term verification of signatures after a certificate's ordinary validity period has ended. Signing time and certificate expiration are different concepts. Timestamping does not make a signature immune to every revocation or private key compromise scenario.

Signing time

The timestamp records when the artifact was signed according to the timestamp service.

Certificate expiration

Expiration affects certificate validity and future signing operations, but it should not be treated as identical to the historical signing event.

HARICA OV Certificate Validity

The current HARICA OV enrollment guide allows the applicant to choose the duration during the request process. It does not provide a single fixed duration in the public workflow text used for this page. Because code signing validity rules have changed across the industry, this page does not copy a validity number from another provider.

Publication rule: confirm the exact duration shown in the current HARICA CertManager or product documentation at the time the page is updated. Treat certificate validity, service duration, renewal and reissue as separate lifecycle concepts.

HARICA OV Code Signing Cost

HARICA's current support page says Code Signing certificates can be purchased through CertManager and directs customers to its sales team for pricing details. No current publicly verifiable OV price is published here, so this page does not invent one.

Cost component	What to confirm
Certificate	Current OV certificate price in CertManager or through HARICA sales.
Cryptographic token	Whether hardware is supplied and whether any associated cost applies.
Own token / HSM	Compatibility, provisioning and any service implications.
Renewal	Current renewal pricing and process.
Reissue	Current reissue rules and fees, if applicable.
Hardware replacement	Replacement process and any hardware charges.
Signing infrastructure	Enterprise HSM, signing service, access controls and operational tooling.
Operational costs	People, release controls, timestamping and incident response.

HARICA OV for CI/CD

Hardware protected signing changes the usual CI/CD pattern because the private key should not simply be copied onto every build runner. A production release can separate software compilation from the signing operation.

Build environmentDevelopers and CI systems compile and test the software artifact.

→

Controlled signing environmentA restricted service or HSM based environment accesses the protected key.

→

Release distributionThe signed and timestamped artifact is verified before publication.

Key principle: Developers build software. A controlled signing environment signs production artifacts.

Access controlLimit who and what can invoke production signing.

Key isolationKeep the private key outside ordinary developer workstations and general build storage.

AuditabilityRecord signing requests and release approvals.

Artifact integritySign only the final release artifact that has passed required checks.

Developer separationSeparate build permissions from production signing permissions.

Incident responseMaintain a documented compromise and replacement procedure.

HARICA OV and Enterprise Software Release Management

For a company, the certificate becomes part of the release process rather than a one time developer action. The same signing identity can be integrated into production deployment, desktop application distribution, enterprise agents, installer delivery and software update mechanisms, subject to the organization's technical controls.

Release management

Sign the final approved artifact as part of the release gate.

Production deployment

Keep signing authority separate from normal development permissions.

Desktop applications

Apply the organization identity to distributed installers and executables.

Enterprise agents

Use controlled signing for software deployed across customer or internal environments.

Software updates

Sign update artifacts before they enter the distribution channel.

Audit trail

Record which release process invoked the signing operation and when.

Certificate Chain and Trust

A signed application contains a code signing certificate that forms part of a certificate chain. Verification can involve the end entity certificate, intermediate CA certificates, trusted roots, certificate policies and the Code Signing Extended Key Usage.

Signed application
      ↓
HARICA OV end entity certificate
      ↓
Issuing intermediate CA
      ↓
Trusted root
      ↓
OS / platform trust store
      ↓
Signature and chain verification

Certificate purpose matters: HARICA's published policy identifies OV Code Signing with digital signature key usage and the Code Signing Extended Key Usage.

How to Verify a HARICA OV Signed Application

Windows GUI

Open File Properties, select Digital Signatures and open Details to inspect the signature.

SignTool

Use command line verification to inspect the signature and certificate chain in an automated workflow.

Certificate inspection

Review subject, organization, issuer, validity, thumbprint, key usage, Extended Key Usage and timestamp information.

Verification checklist
Subject / Organization
Issuer
Validity
Thumbprint
Key Usage
Extended Key Usage
Timestamp
Certificate chain
Signature status

What Happens When the HARICA OV Certificate Expires?

Certificate expiration affects new signing operations and the release pipeline, while previously signed software has its own signature and timestamp context. A company should plan renewal or reissue before the next production release requires a new certificate.

Before expirationRenew or obtain the replacement certificate and update the controlled signing environment.

New releasesUse the current valid signing certificate for new production artifacts.

Existing releasesReview their timestamp and signature status separately from the new certificate lifecycle.

Pipeline updateReplace certificate references and test signing before the next release.

What If the HARICA OV Private Key Is Compromised?

A compromised private key is a signing incident, not simply a certificate file problem. Removing the public certificate from a workstation does not remove an attacker who already has the private key.

Stop signingPause production signing and contain the signing environment.

Contact HARICAReport the compromise and follow the CA's revocation process.

InvestigateIdentify affected keys, systems and signed releases.

ReplaceGenerate a replacement key and obtain the replacement certificate.

RecoverUpdate the release pipeline and review published artifacts.

HARICA OV vs HARICA IV

Requirement	IV	OV
Publisher	Natural person	Legal entity
Individual developer	Yes	No
Company publisher	No	Yes
Organization validation	No	Yes
Company identity	No	Yes
Typical audience	Individual / sole proprietor	Company / organization

HARICA OV vs HARICA EV

Requirement	OV	EV
Legal entity	Yes	Yes
Organization validation	Yes	Enhanced
Company publisher identity	Yes	Yes
Individual publisher	No	No
Instant Windows reputation	Not the EV treatment	HARICA states EV is required
Windows Hardware Compatibility Program	Not the EV workflow	EV
Primary distinction	Organization validation	Extended validation

When HARICA OV Makes Sense

OV scenarios

Software is published under a legal entity.
The organization identity should represent the publisher.
Individual validation is not the desired release identity.
The organization does not specifically require EV treatment.
Hardware protected signing can be integrated into the release process.

Investigate EV when

You need EV specific Windows treatment.
You need the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program workflow described by HARICA.
Your distribution requirements specifically call for EV.

HARICA OV Code Signing Checklist

Legal entityConfirm the organization information used for enrollment.

Authorized representativeIdentify the person who can authorize the request.

Organization recordsPrepare the data needed for organization validation.

Identity documentsPrepare evidence required by the selected validation path.

Organization ageDetermine whether the organization is under three years old.

Authorization methodSelect the HARICA supported authorization method.

HardwareChoose a token or compliant HSM path.

PIN managementDefine device access and PIN controls.

TimestampingInclude timestamping in the release process.

Signing workflowDesign the production signing environment.

RenewalPlan certificate replacement before a release is blocked.

Incident responseDocument the private key compromise procedure.

HARICA OV Code Signing FAQ

What is HARICA OV Code Signing Certificate?

It is an Organization Validated code signing certificate for enterprises and organizations. The certificate represents the legal entity associated with the software publisher.

Who can get HARICA OV Code Signing?

HARICA's current OV Code Signing workflow is designed for enterprises or organizations that can complete the required organization and requester validation steps.

Is HARICA OV Code Signing for companies?

Yes. HARICA separates OV Code Signing for enterprises or organizations from IV Code Signing for individuals or sole proprietorships.

Can an individual developer get HARICA OV?

HARICA's current guides place individuals or sole proprietorships in the IV Code Signing workflow. OV is the organization workflow.

What organization does HARICA OV identify?

The certificate is associated with the validated legal entity represented in the certificate subject and organization information.

How does HARICA validate an organization?

The current workflow collects organization information, asks the applicant to verify organization validity, checks requester information and uses an authorization method before HARICA validation.

What documents are required for HARICA OV?

The exact evidence depends on the organization and validation path. The current guide includes organization information, applicant identification where required, address verification where applicable and authorization evidence.

What happens if the company is less than three years old?

HARICA's current OV guide asks applicants to identify whether the organization was formed less or more than three years before the request. Organizations under three years follow an additional identification and address verification document step.

Who can authorize a HARICA OV Code Signing request?

The current workflow provides two methods, including validator contact through a verified communication method or a digitally signed authorization form completed by the legal representative using a personal signing certificate.

Does HARICA OV require a hardware token?

HARICA's current Code Signing guidance requires secure hardware protection for the private key and provides a cryptographic device option through the enrollment workflow.

Can I use my own HSM for HARICA OV?

HARICA's documentation describes secure hardware and a security baseline, but the exact compatibility and provisioning path for an existing HSM should be confirmed with HARICA before enrollment.

What security standard must the signing device meet?

HARICA's current Code Signing guidance describes a baseline of at least FIPS 140-2 Level 2 or Common Criteria EAL 4+.

Can HARICA OV sign EXE files?

HARICA's Code Signing documentation lists executable files among supported signing scenarios.

Can HARICA OV sign DLL files?

Yes. HARICA's Code Signing product documentation lists DLL files among supported signing formats.

Can HARICA OV sign MSI files?

Yes. MSI installers are included among the signing scenarios documented by HARICA.

Can HARICA OV sign Java JAR files?

HARICA lists Java code signing among its supported scenarios. The implementation can use the Java signing toolchain with the protected signing key.

Can HARICA OV be used for Windows drivers?

Do not treat OV as equivalent to the EV workflow for Windows driver or Windows Hardware Compatibility Program requirements. Check the applicable Microsoft requirements separately.

Does HARICA OV provide instant SmartScreen reputation?

No such blanket claim should be made. HARICA's current product documentation distinguishes EV treatment and states that EV is required for instant reputation on Microsoft Windows platforms.

Is HARICA EV required for Windows Hardware Compatibility Program participation?

HARICA's current product documentation associates EV with its described Windows Hardware Compatibility Program scenario.

How much does HARICA OV Code Signing cost?

HARICA's current support page directs customers to CertManager and its sales team for pricing. This page does not publish an invented current OV price.

How long is a HARICA OV certificate valid?

The current enrollment guide allows the applicant to choose a duration but the public guide text does not state one fixed duration. Confirm the exact period shown in CertManager at the time of purchase.

What happens when a HARICA OV certificate expires?

New releases need a current valid signing certificate. Existing signed software should be assessed separately using its signature and timestamp information.

Can HARICA OV certificates be renewed?

Plan renewal as a separate lifecycle event and confirm the current renewal process in HARICA CertManager or with HARICA support before the next release requires signing.

What happens if the private key is compromised?

Stop signing, contact HARICA, follow the applicable revocation process, investigate affected releases, secure the signing environment, generate a replacement key and update the release pipeline.

Can HARICA OV be used in CI/CD?

Yes, provided the CI/CD design keeps the hardware protected private key under controlled access. A dedicated signing environment is preferable to distributing the key across build runners.

What is the difference between HARICA IV and OV?

IV represents a natural person, while OV represents a legal entity. HARICA's current guides use these as separate Code Signing enrollment paths.

What is the difference between HARICA OV and EV?

Both are organization based, but HARICA documents EV as a separate extended validation workflow and associates EV with specific Windows treatment that should not be attributed to OV.

Evaluate HARICA OV for Your Software Release Process

HARICA OV is built around a company publisher identity, organization validation and protected signing keys. Before ordering, confirm the current CertManager duration and pricing, prepare the organization and requester information, choose the hardware path and design how production signing will be controlled across your release pipeline.

Review HARICA OV Requirements Contact HARICA Support