While selecting the Code Signing Certificate, many of us get confused between the wide variety. And especially between the IV Code Signing Certificate and OV Code Signing Certificate.

Most people purchasing code signing certificates for the first time need clarity about each type. Further, it leads them to make wrong selections and lose money. Hence, it is essential to understand the primary difference between different Code Signing Certificates.

By reading further, you will be able to learn about IV and OV Code Signing certificates and the primary difference between them. As a result, you will always purchase the right solution, fulfilling requirements.

Understanding the Core Concepts

Before moving on to the differentiation between Individual Code Signing Certificates and Organization Validation Certificates, it is essential to understand the definition of both.

What is IV Code Signing Certificate

Individual Validation Code Signing Certificate is for solo software publishers and developers not part of an organization. For instance, if you have individually developed an application and want to optimize its legitimacy and security, then an IV Certificate is for you.

What is OV Code Signing Certificate

Organization Validation Code Signing Certificate is exclusively for companies developing and providing software to their stakeholders. Only government-registered firms can use it to digitally sign the executable files.

In addition, it is also known as the Standard Code Signing Certificate, as it’s the fundamental requirement of software getting published by an organization.

Significant Aspects Supporting IV Vs OV Code Signing

Target User

As the name defines, Individual Code Signing Certificate is for solo developers working independently. For any software publisher, who doesn’t belong to any organization and wants to release its software as an authorized source, an IV Certificate can help to achieve such a goal.

OV Code Signing Certificate is mainly for small, medium, and large-scale enterprises. Firms in any industry can avail of the OV certificate by undergoing the validation procedure to make their software tamper-proof.

Compatibility with Different Platforms

Whether you select the IV Code Signing Certificate or OV Code Signing Certificate, you will not find any compatibility issues. The only condition is that you should purchase the certificate from an authentic and trusted provider. If you do so, you will find both certificates compatible with the following platforms:

• Windows Operating System
• Java
• Adobe
• Visual Studio
• Mozilla and much more

Therefore, it doesn’t matter which kind of user you are, and the code sign certificate will function appropriately.

Level of Security

You don’t have to worry about security using any Code Signing Certificate. If you are utilizing the IV certificate, it will follow the same process as OV to hash and encrypt the source code. Moreover, both certificates use public and private key mechanisms to assure data integrity and confidentiality.

Furthermore, if an individual publisher or an organization wants to revoke a certificate. It can directly contact the Certificate Authority, as both get the leverage of support services.

Recognition by Operating System

When an end-user tries to install digitally signed software using an IV or OV certificate, the system doesn’t display an Unknown Publisher Warning. However, in some cases, if the root or intermediate certificate is not accurate, installation can get blocked.

Additionally, there can be a slight probability of facing alerts for users installing software with an IV certificate. But, you can prevent such likelihood by purchasing a certificate from a reputed distributor, such as SignMyCode.

Vetting Procedure

You must undergo a validation procedure to obtain the IV and OV Code Signing Certificate. And to complete the process, you must submit some documents to the Certificate Authority. Let’s have a look at each document.

For Individual Validation Code Signing Certificate:

• Government ID Proof, such as Citizenship Card, Passport, and License.
• Financial documents, such as Bank statements and Income Tax returns.
• The document, such as the Birth Certificate, displays your full name.

For Organization Validation Code Signing Certificate:

• Company’s Government Registration Proof.
• A Telephone Number to contact authorized company personnel for verification calls.
• Physical Address Proof of the organization.

Defender SmartScreen Prevention

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is one of the most advanced mechanisms to alert users about unauthorized software. And, to eliminate its display while installing, most publishers prefer EV Code Signing Certificate.

Both IV and OV Certificates have a probability of not getting recognized by Windows Defender SmartScreen. Although, if you buy the certificate from a reputed CA, it can get prevented even with an Individual and Organization Validation Code Signing Certificate.

Working and Functionality

Both works similarly, IV Code Signing or OV Code Signing. When you try to digitally sign the software with any of these certificates, it will first hash the code and then encrypts it. In addition, both utilize the Public and Private Key mechanisms to maintain source code integrity.

Hence, IV and OV Code Signing Certificates function according to the appropriate industry standards.

IV vs OV: Which is a Cheap Code Signing Certificate

Individual Validation and Organization validation Code Signing has its unique purposes. IV is for non-organizational publishers, whereas OV is for companies and enterprises. And it impacts their prices as well.

Compared to OV, Individual validation is cheaper, but organizations cannot use it.

Therefore, each certificate is unique in its way. However, you can find IV and OV certificates at cheaper rates if you buy them from an authorized dealer. You should select a vendor having partnerships with certificate authorities, as it will ensure you best-in-class prices for every code signing certificate.

Wrapping Up

IV and OV Code Signing Certificates have their unique functionalities. Where IV is only for individual developers, OV is only for organizations. You have to select it according to your requirements. In addition, both IV and OV provide the same level of hashing and encryption to make executable files tamper-proof. The primary difference between them is Validation Procedure and the target user. Hence, you should choose a Code Signing Certificate as per your need.