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Reissue your Code Signing certificate

Learn how to reissue your DigiCert Code Signing certificate

New private key storage requirements

On May 30, 2023, DigiCert updated our private key storage requirements for code signing certificate private keys, per industry standards. All private keys for code signing certificates must be stored on hardware certified as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2, Common Criteria EAL 4+, or equivalent.

For more information, see our knowledge base articles:

Before you begin

Are you reissuing your code signing certificate for an HSM device?

Then you must submit a certificate signing request (CSR) with your request. To remain secure, certificates must use an Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) 3072-bit or Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) P-256-bit key size or larger. Refer to your HSM provider's documentation to create the CSR for your request.

HSM devices require you to submit a CSR with your request. The code signing secure token provisioning methods don't include an option for submitting a CSR.

Reissue your code signing certificate

  1. In your CertCentral account, in the left main menu, go to Certificate > Orders.

  2. On the Orders page, select the order number link for the code signing certificate you want to reissue.

  3. On the Order details page, in the Certificate Actions menu, select Reissue Certificate.

  4. On the Reissue certificate page, update the certificate order details as needed to reissue your certificate.

    1. Signature Hash

      Unless you have a specific reason for selecting a different signature hash, DigiCert recommends using the default signature hash: SHA-256.

    2. Provisioning method

      The provisioning method refers to where you store the private key and certificate. For the security of your code signing certificate, the certificate must be installed on and used from an approved device.

      Select the storage device for your code signing certificate and its' private key.

      • DigiCert-provided hardware token (nonrefundable)

        DigiCert sends you a secure token with instructions for installing the certificate on your token.

        Then, under Shipping address, add your shipping information: your name and the address where you want us to send the hardware token.

      • Use existing token

        When DigiCert issues your code signing certificate, you need to install the certificate on your token.

        In the Platform dropdown, select the type of hardware token on which you plan to install your code signing certificate:

        • SafeNet eToken 5110 CC (940) for RSA 4096-bit and ECC P-256-bit key certificates.

        • SafeNet eToken 5110 FIPS for ECC P-256-bit key certificates.

        • SafeNet eToken 5110+ FIPS for RSA 4096-bit and ECC P-256-bit key certificates.

        • SafeNet eToken 5110+ CC (940B) for ECC P-256-bit key certificates.

        • SafeNet eToken 5110+ CC (940C) for RSA 4096-bit and ECC P-256-bit key certificates.

        Important

        You must have a DigiCert supported FIPS 140-2 Level 2 or Common Criteria EAL4+ compliant device. You can’t install the certificate on any device not on the list.

        Select DigiCert-provided hardware token to have us send you a token. If you have questions, contact DigiCert Support.

      • Install on HSM

        When DigiCert issues your code signing certificate, install it on the HSM where you generated the private key and CSR.

        Select Yes under Was the private key generated by a Common Criteria EAL4+ standard or FIPS 140-2 level 2 HSM?

        For HSMs, we send the requester an agreement email. This email ensures that a private key is stored on an HSM certified as FIPS 140-2 Level 2, Common Criteria EAL 4+, or equivalent. DigiCert issues the certificate only after the requester agrees to the private key protection requirement.

      Important

      You must have a FIPS 140-2 Level 2, Common Criteria EAL 4+, or equivalent hardware security module (HSM) that supports at least 3072-bit keys.

      Select a different provisioning method if you don't have a compatible HSM. If you have any questions contact DigiCert Support.

    3. Reason for Reissue

      Specify the reason for the certificate reissue.

  5. When ready, select Submit request.

What's next

Approval for your code signing certificate reissue may be required

If a reissue approval is required, we email the code signing verified contacts for the organization. We inform them that they need to approve the certificate reissue request. When we receive their approval, we reissue your code signing certificate.

Certificate issuance

When the validation is done and the order is verified-contact approved, we issue your certificate. Then you can install your certificate on your hardware token or HSM.

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