HARICA EV Code Signing Certificate
Sign software under a validated organization identity with a protected private key for Windows software, enterprise releases, driver related workflows and other supported signing scenarios. This guide covers HARICA's current EV enrollment process, validation, token installation, certificate policy and release architecture.
What Is HARICA EV Code Signing?
HARICA EV Code Signing is an Extended Validation certificate for enterprises and organizations. HARICA's current product documentation describes EV as identifying the legal entity and its official registry information. The certificate is used to create a digital signature over supported software so the publisher identity and software integrity can be inspected through the signature and certificate chain.
Organization identity
EV starts with the legal entity behind the software publisher. HARICA's EV workflow verifies organization information, legal existence, organizational validity and the authorization of the certificate request.
Protected signing identity
The private key is the cryptographic secret used to create signatures. HARICA's current EV workflow uses secure hardware and provides a cryptographic device option for the signing key.
Who Is HARICA EV Code Signing For?
Software companies
Organizations distributing commercial software under their company identity.
Enterprise software publishers
Companies distributing applications, installers, agents and enterprise software.
Driver and hardware software publishers
Organizations working with Windows hardware related signing requirements.
Established software vendors
Companies where a more extensively validated publisher identity is relevant to their distribution model.
Individual publisher
HARICA separates individuals and sole proprietorships into its IV Code Signing workflow.
Company publisher
Organizations that only need organization validation can evaluate the separate OV workflow.
What Does Extended Validation Mean for Code Signing?
For HARICA EV Code Signing, extended validation involves more than displaying a company name in a certificate. The current enrollment process asks for organization information, legal existence and validity information, requester identity and an authorization route before HARICA validators review the request.
What Identity Appears in a HARICA EV Certificate?
Developers should inspect the actual certificate rather than relying on the application name or product brand. Relevant fields include the organization name and subject, issuer, certificate policy, validity, key usage, Extended Key Usage, certificate chain and signature algorithm.
Certificate inspection Subject / Organization → validated publisher identity Issuer → HARICA issuing CA Policy → applicable certificate policy Validity → Not Before / Not After Key Usage → Digital Signature Extended Key Usage → Code Signing Chain → End entity → Intermediate → Root Signature Algorithm → certificate signature details
What Does HARICA EV Establish?
Verified organization identity
The certificate identifies the organization that passed the applicable validation process.
Software integrity
The digital signature provides a mechanism for detecting modification of signed content after signing.
Publisher association
Signed software can be associated with the organization represented in the certificate.
Certificate trust
The certificate can be evaluated through its certificate chain and applicable trust stores.
Controlled signing identity
The protected private key provides cryptographic control over the signing identity.
Policy purpose
The Code Signing EKU identifies the certificate's intended signing purpose.
It does not establish that an application is malware free, vulnerability free, bug free, security audited or approved by Microsoft.
What HARICA EV Does Not Guarantee
Malware status
EV validation does not mean the software is malware free.
Vulnerability status
The certificate does not certify that the application has no vulnerabilities.
Security audit
EV does not mean the software has passed a security audit.
Microsoft approval
A certificate is not the same thing as Microsoft approval of the application.
SmartScreen outcome
EV should not be presented as a guarantee of no SmartScreen warning in every situation.
Software trustworthiness
Certificate validation and software quality are separate questions.
HARICA IV vs OV vs EV
| Factor | IV | OV | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher | Natural person | Legal entity | Legal entity |
| Individual developer | Yes | No | No |
| Organization | No | Yes | Yes |
| Validation | Individual | Organization | Extended |
| Company identity | No | Yes | Yes |
| EV specific requirements | No | No | Yes |
HARICA EV Eligibility
The EV workflow is for enterprises or organizations. The current HARICA process asks for legal entity information, organization existence and validity, applicant identity, authorization and a verified communication method.
HARICA EV Organization Validation
Legal existence
The organization must be verifiable as a legitimate legal entity through the information and documentation requested by HARICA.
Organization validity
HARICA's current EV guide includes a separate organization validity step in CertManager.
Applicant identity
HARICA states that personal information entered into CertManager must match the government issued identification document letter by letter.
Authorization
The organization must confirm that the certificate request has been authorized through one of HARICA's supported routes.
HARICA EV Authorization Methods
HARICA currently documents two authorization routes in its EV Code Signing workflow.
Method A
HARICA validators contact the applicant using the verified communication method established during the process.
Method B
The organization's legal representative fills in and digitally signs HARICA's authorization form using a personal signing certificate.
HARICA EV Application Process
The current HARICA EV guide provides a nine stage workflow from CertManager registration through token import, with the application steps including duration selection, organization verification, authorization, submission, payment and validator review.
Private Key Protection
The certificate is public. The private key is the signing secret. If an attacker gains control of the private key, they can potentially create signatures associated with the organization's signing identity. HARICA's current EV workflow therefore uses secure hardware for the Code Signing private key.
Certificate
Contains the public key and publisher identity information used during signature verification.
Private key
Performs the cryptographic signing operation and should remain protected inside the approved hardware environment.
HARICA EV Cryptographic Token
HARICA's current guide says software publishers should store Code Signing private keys in secure hardware and that HARICA can prepare and send a cryptographic device by post to the applicant's physical address.
Can HARICA EV Use an Existing Token or Hardware Device?
Yes, within HARICA's documented workflow. If an applicant has already acquired a cryptographic device from HARICA and keys are associated with the account, the EV request can include selecting an existing key from the available list.
Existing HARICA token
Useful when the device and keys are already associated with the CertManager account.
Certificate provisioning
The issued certificate still needs to be imported into the token using the supported management software.
Enterprise hardware
For other hardware environments, confirm compatibility and provisioning requirements with HARICA rather than assuming every commercial HSM is supported.
HARICA EV and Windows Authenticode
Windows software signing commonly uses Microsoft Authenticode. The certificate provides publisher identity information, the signature protects the signed artifact against undetected modification, and the certificate chain provides the trust path used during verification.
Build application
↓
Freeze final EXE / DLL / MSI
↓
Access hardware protected private key
↓
Sign with SignTool
↓
Add trusted timestamp
↓
Verify signature and certificate chain
↓
Release software
Related resources: Microsoft Authenticode: Complete Guide, How to Sign an EXE File and How to Sign an MSI Installer.
HARICA EV and Microsoft SmartScreen
Certificate validation, publisher reputation, application reputation and SmartScreen are separate concepts. HARICA's current Code Signing product documentation states that an EV Code Signing certificate is needed for software to gain instant reputation on Microsoft Windows platforms. That statement should be treated as HARICA's documented product position rather than as a permanent guarantee that every signed application will avoid every SmartScreen warning.
Certificate validation
Establishes the certificate's identity and applicable validation framework.
Publisher reputation
Is separate from the fact that a certificate exists.
Application reputation
Concerns the software artifact and its distribution context.
SmartScreen
Is a Microsoft Windows reputation and warning mechanism that can change independently of a CA product description.
EV treatment
HARICA currently documents EV as required for instant reputation on Microsoft Windows platforms.
No blanket guarantee
EV should not be described as a guarantee of zero warnings in every environment.
HARICA EV and Windows Hardware Compatibility Program
Windows driver signing can involve Microsoft program requirements in addition to obtaining a code signing certificate. HARICA's current Code Signing product information specifically associates EV with participation in the Windows Hardware Compatibility program.
The certificate is one component of a broader Microsoft workflow that can include the appropriate account, program enrollment, driver package requirements and signing or submission steps.
HARICA EV for Java Code Signing
EV is not limited to Windows. HARICA's Code Signing product documentation includes Java code among supported signing scenarios. A Java release can use the JAR signing workflow with the protected key, certificate selection, timestamping and verification.
Build JAR ↓ Select HARICA EV certificate ↓ Access protected signing key ↓ Sign with jarsigner ↓ Timestamp ↓ Verify signature and certificate chain
Related resource: How to Sign Java JAR Files.
Supported Signing Scenarios
| Scenario | HARICA EV 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 software | Major use case |
| Windows drivers | Microsoft specific requirements apply |
| Enterprise software | Strong use case |
| CI/CD | Requires secure signing architecture |
How to Sign Software With HARICA EV
Windows
Use SignTool and the hardware protected certificate through the supported token or signing environment.
Java
Use jarsigner and the appropriate token middleware or controlled signing environment.
Timestamping
A timestamp records the signing event through a timestamp authority. It is useful when software must remain verifiable after the signing certificate's ordinary validity period has ended. Certificate validity at the time of signing, current certificate validity and timestamp validity are separate concepts.
Certificate validity at signing
Whether the signing certificate was valid when the signature was created is one part of the verification context.
Current certificate validity
The certificate can later expire or be revoked, so current status is a separate lifecycle question.
Timestamp validity
The timestamp provides evidence of when signing occurred and can support long term signature verification.
Compromise exception
Timestamping should not be described as overriding revocation or consequences of a compromised private key.
HARICA EV Certificate Policies and EKU
HARICA's published certificate policy identifies EV Code Signing with Digital Signature key usage and Code Signing Extended Key Usage. The policy documents also list Lifetime Signing as an optional EKU for EV Code Signing.
| Certificate field | HARICA EV Code Signing |
|---|---|
| Key Usage | Digital Signature |
| Extended Key Usage | Code Signing |
| Optional EKU | Lifetime Signing |
| Policy | EV Code Signing certificate policy identifiers |
HARICA EV Certificate Chain
A signed application can be evaluated through the end entity certificate, the applicable HARICA issuing CA, the trusted root, certificate policy and the operating system or platform trust store. HARICA's published repository identifies separate EV Code Signing RSA and ECC issuing CA paths.
How to Verify a HARICA EV Signed Application
Windows GUI
Open File Properties, select Digital Signatures and then Details.
SignTool
Use command line verification to inspect signature and certificate information.
Certificate inspection
Review subject, organization, issuer, validity, serial number, thumbprint, key usage and EKU.
Timestamp
Inspect timestamp information as part of the signature verification context.
Certificate chain
Check the end entity, issuing CA and trusted chain for errors.
Java
Use jarsigner verification where applicable for signed JAR files.
Verification checklist Subject / Organization Issuer Validity Serial number Thumbprint Key Usage Extended Key Usage Timestamp Certificate chain Signature status
Related resource: How to Verify a Code Signature.
HARICA EV for CI/CD
Hardware protected signing changes the architecture of a conventional build pipeline. The private key should not be copied to every build runner. A controlled signing environment can receive a validated artifact, invoke the protected signing key and return the signed artifact for release.
HARICA EV for Enterprise Software Releases
EV can be integrated into a company release process for software that needs a controlled organization identity. The certificate can be part of the signing layer for desktop applications, enterprise installers, software agents, update packages, security tools, developer tools, commercial applications and hardware companion software.
Desktop applications
Sign distributed application binaries and installers under the company identity.
Enterprise installers
Apply the signing identity before packages enter the distribution channel.
Software agents
Sign production agents before customer or internal deployment.
Update packages
Sign update artifacts before they reach the update service.
Security tools
Keep production signing separate from development access.
Developer tools
Use controlled signing for tools distributed to external or internal developers.
What Happens If the HARICA EV Private Key Is Compromised?
A private key compromise should be treated as a signing identity incident. Removing a certificate file from a workstation does not invalidate a private key that an attacker has already copied or accessed.
Certificate Expiration, Renewal and Replacement
Expiration
The certificate reaches its Not After date and cannot be treated as a current certificate for new signing operations.
Renewal
Obtaining a certificate for the next service period through the applicable HARICA process.
Reissue
Issuing another certificate within the applicable product and account context.
Replacement
Obtaining a new certificate because of loss, compromise or another operational reason.
Timestamped software
Previously signed releases should be evaluated using their signature, timestamp and revocation context.
Pipeline update
Replace certificate references and test the production signing path before the next release.
HARICA EV Code Signing Cost
HARICA currently directs customers to CertManager and its support or sales channels for Code Signing pricing. This page does not publish an invented current EV price. If CertManager exposes a publicly verifiable price at publication time, it should be added with a date.
| Cost component | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Certificate price | Current EV price shown by HARICA. |
| Cryptographic token | Whether the supplied hardware has a separate charge. |
| Hardware replacement | Current replacement process and fee. |
| Renewal | Current renewal price and process. |
| Reissue | Current reissue rules and applicable cost. |
| Enterprise signing infrastructure | HSM, signing service, access controls and operational tooling. |
| HSM costs | Hardware, hosting, administration and integration costs where applicable. |
| Total cost of ownership | Certificate plus hardware and the operational controls required to run production signing. |
HARICA EV vs OV
| Requirement | OV | EV |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Yes | Yes |
| Organization validation | Yes | Yes |
| Extended validation | No | Yes |
| Individual publisher | No | No |
| Company identity | Yes | Yes |
| EV specific Windows treatment | No | Yes, where applicable |
| Hardware protected signing | Required in HARICA's current Code Signing model | Required in HARICA's current Code Signing model |
| Main distinction | Organization validation | Extended organization validation |
HARICA EV vs IV
| Factor | IV | EV |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | Individual | Legal entity |
| Individual developer | Yes | No |
| Company | No | Yes |
| Validation | Individual | Extended organization |
| Enterprise software | Limited fit | Yes |
| Windows EV specific workflows | No | Yes |
When HARICA EV Is Appropriate
EV may be relevant when
- Software is published by a legal entity.
- The organization requires EV validation.
- Windows specific EV workflows are important.
- Driver signing requirements call for EV.
- The organization wants a more extensively validated publisher identity.
- The signing process needs hardware protected keys.
OV may be sufficient when
- The organization only needs organization validated code signing.
- EV specific requirements are not part of the distribution workflow.
IV is relevant when
- The publisher is an individual or sole proprietor.
HARICA EV Troubleshooting
Token issues
EV certificate not appearing in token, token not detected or PIN problems.
SafeNet issues
Token management software errors or certificate import failures.
RSA or ECDSA
Expected certificate missing from the appropriate token certificate location.
SignTool
SignTool cannot find or select the expected certificate.
Certificate chain
Chain building or trust errors during verification.
Timestamp
Timestamp request or validation failures during release signing.
SmartScreen
Warning behavior that requires separate reputation analysis.
Driver signing
Windows driver workflow problems beyond certificate issuance.
Expiration
Certificate lifecycle issue affecting new releases.
Revocation
Certificate status changes that affect verification and release operations.
Private key compromise
Signing incident requiring containment, reporting and replacement.
Validation delay
Pending organization or requester verification requiring HARICA review.
HARICA EV Buying Checklist
HARICA EV Code Signing FAQ
What is HARICA EV Code Signing Certificate?
It is an Extended Validation code signing certificate for enterprises and organizations. HARICA's product information describes EV as identifying the legal entity and its official registry information.
Who can get a HARICA EV Code Signing Certificate?
HARICA's current EV Code Signing workflow is designed for enterprises or organizations that can complete the required organization, identity and authorization validation steps.
Is HARICA EV Code Signing available to individuals?
HARICA separates individuals and sole proprietorships into its IV Code Signing workflow. The EV workflow is for enterprises or organizations.
Does HARICA EV require a registered organization?
Yes. The current EV workflow is for enterprises or organizations and includes organization legal existence and validity verification.
How does HARICA validate an EV Code Signing applicant?
The workflow includes organization information, legal existence and validity checks, applicant identity, authorization, payment, HARICA validator review and certificate acceptance.
What documents are required for HARICA EV?
The exact evidence depends on the organization and validation path. HARICA's current guide requires organization information and documentation supporting the legal existence and validity of the organization, plus authorization evidence where applicable.
How does HARICA verify the legal existence of an organization?
CertManager includes a dedicated step for entering and verifying the organization's legal existence information and a separate step for organizational validity.
How does HARICA verify the certificate request authorization?
HARICA documents two authorization methods: validator contact through a verified communication method or a digitally signed authorization form completed by the organization's legal representative.
Can the legal representative authorize a HARICA EV request?
Yes. HARICA's method B allows the legal representative to complete and digitally sign the authorization form using a personal signing certificate.
Does HARICA EV require a hardware token?
HARICA's current Code Signing workflow uses secure hardware for the private key and provides a cryptographic device option.
Can I use an existing HARICA cryptographic token?
Yes. HARICA's current EV guide says that if you already acquired a cryptographic device from HARICA and keys are associated with the account, you can select an existing key during the request.
What is the HARICA EV Code Signing certificate chain?
The chain can include the EV Code Signing end entity certificate, the applicable HARICA issuing CA and a trusted root used by the operating system or platform.
What is the Code Signing EKU?
The Extended Key Usage identifies the certificate as intended for Code Signing. HARICA's published policy lists Code Signing as the EV Code Signing EKU.
Does HARICA EV support Authenticode?
HARICA's Code Signing product is designed for signing software executed on Windows and supports the Windows Authenticode signing workflow.
Can HARICA EV sign EXE files?
Yes. HARICA's Code Signing documentation lists executable files among its supported signing scenarios.
Can HARICA EV sign MSI files?
Yes. MSI installation files are listed among HARICA's supported Code Signing formats.
Can HARICA EV sign DLL files?
Yes. DLL files are included among HARICA's documented Code Signing scenarios.
Can HARICA EV sign Java JAR files?
Yes. HARICA's Code Signing product documentation includes Java code among supported signing scenarios.
Can HARICA EV be used for Windows driver signing?
HARICA associates EV with its described Windows Hardware Compatibility Program scenario, but obtaining the certificate does not by itself complete Microsoft's driver signing process.
Does HARICA EV guarantee no SmartScreen warnings?
No blanket guarantee should be made. HARICA documents EV as required for instant reputation on Microsoft Windows platforms, but SmartScreen behavior and reputation are separate from certificate validation.
Is HARICA EV required for the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program?
HARICA's current Code Signing product documentation states that an EV Code Signing certificate is needed to participate in the Windows Hardware Compatibility program.
Can HARICA EV be used in CI/CD?
Yes, when the pipeline uses a controlled signing environment that protects the hardware backed private key and separates build access from production signing authority.
How is the HARICA EV private key protected?
HARICA's current EV workflow uses secure hardware and provides a cryptographic device option for storing the Code Signing private key.
What happens if the HARICA EV private key is compromised?
Stop signing, contact HARICA, follow the applicable revocation process, investigate signed releases, secure the signing environment, generate a replacement key, obtain a replacement certificate and update the release pipeline.
Can a compromised HARICA EV certificate be replaced?
HARICA's published good practices describe replacement and rekey scenarios for EV Code Signing and distinguish cases where the cryptographic device or private key is compromised from cases where it is not.
How much does HARICA EV Code Signing cost?
HARICA currently directs customers to CertManager and support or sales for Code Signing pricing. This page does not publish an invented current EV price.
How long is a HARICA EV certificate valid?
The current public EV guide lets the applicant choose a duration but does not state one fixed period in its text. Confirm the exact duration available in CertManager when ordering.
What happens when a HARICA EV certificate expires?
New releases need an applicable current signing certificate. Existing timestamped software should be assessed separately using its signature, timestamp and revocation context.
What is the difference between HARICA OV and EV?
Both identify legal entities, but EV uses an extended validation framework. HARICA also associates EV with specific Windows treatment that should not be attributed to OV.
What is the difference between HARICA IV and EV?
IV is the Code Signing workflow for individuals or sole proprietorships, while EV is for enterprises or organizations and uses extended organization validation.
Evaluate HARICA EV for Your Software Signing Workflow
HARICA EV combines extended organization validation with a hardware protected signing identity. Before ordering, confirm the current CertManager duration and pricing, prepare the organization and requester information, choose the hardware path and check any Windows specific requirements that apply to your software distribution model.
