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Renew your code signing certificate

Learn how to renew your DigiCert Code Signing and Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing certificates.

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 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

  • Organization validation

    • Code signing certificate renewals: Make sure the organization with which you want to associate your code signing (CS) certificate has been validated for CS-Code Signing Organization Validation.

    • EV code signing certificate renewals: Make sure the organization with which you associate your EV code signing certificate has been validated for EV CS-Code Signing Organization Extended Validation.

  • Domain validation for code signing certificate renewals

    When adding an email address as the subject of your certificate, the email must include a validated domain assigned to the organization in your order. Only validated domains appear on the order form.

    For example, if you want to add john.doe@example.com, make sure example.com has been validated. See out domain prevalidation instructions.

  • Hardware security module (HSM)

    Are you installing your code signing certificate on an HSM device?

    If yes, you must submit a certificate signing request (CSR) with your order. Generate the CSR and private key on the Common Criteria EAL4+ standard or FIPS 140-2 level 2 HSM on which you’re installing the certificate. 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 manufacturer's instructions.

Renew your code signing certificate

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

  2. On the Orders page, select the Order # of the code signing or EV code signing certificate you want to renew.

  3. On the Order details page, in the Certificate actions menu, select Renew.

  4. On the Renew EV Code Signing/Code Signing Order page, update the renewal form as needed, including selecting a new provisioning method.

  5. Provisioning options

    The provisioning method refers to where you want 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 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, so you can begin signing code.

      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 certificate, you must install it 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 FIPS 140-2 Level 2 or Common Criteria EAL4+ compliant device. You can’t install the certificate on any device not on the list.

      Need an approved token?

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

    • Install on HSM

      After DigiCert issues your 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?

      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 issue 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.

      Don't have a compatible HSM?

      Select a different provisioning method. If you have any questions contact DigiCert Support.

    • DigiCert KeyLocker (Cloud HSM)

      KeyLocker is an automated cloud storage service where you can store your private key and code signing certificate. Access them anytime from anywhere to sign your code. Learn more.

      DigiCert also offers Software Trust Manager, an enterprise-level code signing solution. Contact your account representative to determine if your organization could benefit from Software Trust Manager. Learn more.

  6. When ready, select Submit request.

What's next

DigiCert recommends that developers take precautions with the code signing process and protect the private key for their signing certificate. See Protect private keys: Code signing best practices.

Complete organization validation

Before DigiCert can issue your certificate, we must validate your authority to order a certificate for the organization on your code signing certificate. A validation agent calls a verified phone number to speak with someone who represents you (the certificate requester) and can confirm your authority:

  • Human Resources

  • Manager

  • Technical contact

Order approval

When DigiCert finishes process your order, we send an email with information to approve the certificate request to the verified contacts included in the renewal. We can finish processing your order when a verified contact approves your request.

Certificate issuance

When the validation is complete and the order is verified-contact approved, we issue your certificate.

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