What types of digital certificates are there and which one to choose?

Security is a top priority in the digital world. Different types of digital certificates play a very important role in protecting data, authenticating identities and ensuring privacy. These certificates are essential tools for companies and individuals looking to keep their online communications and transactions secure. Below, we will go deeper into the digital certificate field, with examples and details. Take note!

A digital certificate is an electronic document issued by a Certification Authority (CA) that authenticates the identity of a person, entity or website. Its mission is to act as a digital passport that confirms that the person using the certificate is indeed who he/she claims to be. However, in addition to authenticating identities, digital certificates are used to:

• Encrypt communications. Protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
• Digitally sign documents. They guarantee the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents.
• Authenticate in systems and platforms. They ensure that only authorized persons have access to sensitive resources.

→ Do you want to know the benefits of digitalization of processes in companiesWe tell you how to implement it!

When we talk about the types of digital certificate, the first ones that are usually mentioned are those that refer to the identity, highlighting the natural person, the legal person and the unincorporated entity.

According to their classification, we can find different examples of digital certificates, each one with its applications. In addition to those of identity, the Electronic Administration Portal of the Government of Spain, points out other types of certificates. Let’s see each one.

According to the type of identity:

• Natural person certificates identify individuals in the personal or professional sphere. An example would be the certificate issued by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT) to carry out procedures with the Social Security or the digital signature of documents.
• Legal entity certificates (digital certificate for companies) represent legal companies or organizations and are used for e-invoicing, for example.
• Unincorporated entity certificates link identity verification data for entities such as homeowners’ associations or unincorporated companies. For example, a certificate issued to a community of neighbors for tax purposes.

Based on the scope of application we find different types of digital certificates offered by different certification service providers. Among others:

• Server certificates. They guarantee that a website is authentic and allow secure connections to be established. As an example, SSL/TLS certificates are used by banks to encrypt online transactions.
• Electronic invoice certificates. Facilitate the issuance and receipt of digital invoices in a secure and legally valid way.

→ Take a look at our electronic invoicing platform.

• Representative certificates. They identify a person acting on behalf of a company or organization, such as the one issued by the FNMT.

If we focus on the support, we would speak of two types of digital certificate:

• Software certificates. Stored on electronic devices, such as computers or USB sticks. For example, the FNMT digital certificate stored in the browser.
• Hardware certificates. They reside on physical media with greater security, such as a cryptographic card, like the electronic ID card.

One of the most widely used is the Electronic Headquarters certificate, which identifies and authenticates a server as part of a public administration. For example, the certificate of an official website of a city council. → Find out how to choose the authentication methods authentication methods for your company.

Beyond the official and general classification, when talking about the types of digital certificates that exist, we can specifically mention some according to their use.

They are those that allow users to sign electronic documents in a legally binding way. They are mainly used in:

• Digital signature of contracts.
• Electronic invoicing.
• Tax returns.

For example, in Spain, certificates such as those of the FNMT or the DNIe are widely used for administrative procedures.

These certificates are used for:

• Secure web communication through SSL/TLS certificates.
• Authenticate users on platforms ensuring that only authorized persons access critical systems.

Its application ranges from e-commerce sites to internal corporate applications.

Choosing the right digital certificate will depend on your objectives:

• To authenticate your identity, choose a personal authentication certificate, such as the DNIe or that of a recognized CA. Discover our user authentication system.
• If it is a website, a basic SSL/TLS server certificate may be sufficient for blogs, while online businesses should opt for Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates and Organization Validation (OV) certificates.
• To sign documents, advanced electronic signature certificates guarantee legal validity.

→ Get to know our electronic signature software for companies. As a company, in addition to knowing the types of electronic certificates suitable for your company, it is very important to guarantee the privacy and authenticity of the users you deal with. With the certified electronic identification systems systems you will be able to offer reliable services and minimize the risks of intrusion and fraud in your transactions.

When choosing between the different types of digital certificate, the first thing to do is to be clear about the purpose (encryption, authentication, digital signature). Evaluate the level of security required, and the compatibility with your systems.

Although both terms are often used interchangeably, technically the digital certificate is the document issued by the Certification Authority and the electronic certificate refers to its application in electronic procedures.

You can verify it through a certificate management software on your device, by checking the certificate properties in your browser or in the application where it is used.

Yes, it is possible to have several types of digital certificates in the same device. For example, one for digital signature and another for web authentication. → Discover the main differences differences between digital signature and electronic signature.

Most certificates are valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the issuer. For example, FNMT certificates are valid for 36 months.

The basic steps to apply would be: choose the appropriate Certificate Authority according to your needs, complete the requested identification requirements, make the payment (if necessary), download and install the certificate on your device.