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A certificate authority (CA) is a trusted organization that issues digital certificates to websites, businesses, and individuals. When a CA issues a TLS/SSL certificate, it verifies the website domain and, depending on the type of certificate, the organization behind it. This validation builds trust between users and websites, ensuring that sensitive data—like passwords, credit card details, and personal information—stays private.

Whenever you visit a website and see “HTTPS” or a padlock icon in the address bar, that’s proof that a CA has verified the site and issued a TLS/SSL certificate to secure the connection.

That’s a quick breakdown of what certificate authorities do. But if you’re curious to know more, we’ll get into a bit more detail and explain why CAs play such an important role in securing the digital world.

Why do we need certificate authorities (CAs)?

The internet relies on encryption to protect sensitive information from cyber threats. Without a way to verify the identity of websites and businesses, attackers could easily impersonate legitimate sites, tricking users into handing over their credentials or financial data.

That’s where certificate authorities come in. By validating website ownership and issuing TLS/SSL certificates, CAs enable encryption between web browsers and servers. This encryption ensures that any data exchanged—like login credentials or payment details—remains private and secure, shielding it from hackers who might otherwise intercept it.

Without CAs, online banking, shopping, and even basic browsing would be far riskier, as there would be no reliable way to verify whether a website is genuine or a phishing attempt.

It's important to note, however, that just because a site has a certificate doesn’t automatically mean it’s trustworthy. Cybercriminals can still obtain domain validated (DV) certificates for fake websites. That’s why businesses handling sensitive transactions often opt for organization validated (OV) certificates or extended validation (EV) certificates, which provide additional verification of their legitimacy.

How CAs help secure the internet

Whenever you see a browser warning that a site is "Not Secure," it means the website doesn’t have a valid TLS/SSL certificate (or its certificate has expired). Any site that wants to display the padlock icon and enable HTTPS must first obtain a certificate from a trusted certificate authority like ����TV

Before issuing a certificate, the CA verifies key details about the requester:

• For DV certificates, the CA checks that the applicant controls the domain.
• For OV certificates, the CA verifies the organization's identity using government records.
• For EV certificates, the CA performs the most rigorous checks to confirm the business’s legitimacy.

CAs must follow strict industry standards set by the CA/Browser Forum, ensuring that certificates are issued only to legitimate entities and remain secure.

Types of TLS certificates

We've touched on the three primary types of TLS certificates. Now, let’s dive into them in a little more detail to explain the different levels of validation and trust they provide:

• Domain Validated (DV): Confirms control over a website domain without verifying the identity of the site owner. DV certificates are suitable for internal or personal sites but not recommended for businesses.
• Organization Validated (OV): Verifies the identity of the business behind the website, providing more trust for users. OV certificates are the standard for commercial and public-facing websites.
• Extended Validation (EV): EV certificates offer the highest level of verification, displaying the organization’s name in the certificate details. They’re used by financial institutions, major eCommerce brands, and government agencies to establish maximum trust.

Other digital certificates issued by CAs

TLS/SSL certificates aren’t the only types of certificates certificate authorities issue—CAs also play a role in securing software, emails, documents, and devices with digital certificates like:

• Code signing certificates: Ensure software integrity and confirm the developer’s identity.
• Document signing certificates: Allow users to digitally sign PDFs and other files to prove authenticity.
• Email certificates: Secure and authenticate emails using the S/MIME protocol.
• Device certificates: Authenticate and secure the connected devices central to the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Mark certificates: Allow organizations to display their logos in email clients, improving open rates by showing recipients that the sender is legitimate.

Can a certificate authority lose trust?

Yes. If a CA fails to follow industry standards or experiences security failures, it can be distrusted by web browsers and operating systems, meaning its certificates will no longer be recognized as valid.

For example, in 2024, Entrust, a previously trusted CA, became distrusted by Google, Mozilla, and Apple because of security concerns. Websites using certificates issued on Entrust roots after a certain date had to switch providers to maintain compliance and prevent visitors from getting a warning that the site isn’t secure.

That’s why choosing a trusted certificate authority is critical. CAs like ����TV undergo rigorous third-party audits and adhere to industry best practices to ensure ongoing reliability.

How to get a certificate from a CA

To obtain a TLS/SSL certificate, website owners must submit a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) along with their application. The process depends on the type of certificate:

• DV certificates require only domain ownership verification.
• OV and EV certificates require additional business validation.

One important thing to note is that publicly trusted certificates have to be renewed annually, and both Google and Apple are pushing to shorten certificate lifecycles to 90 days or less.

How to choose the right certificate authority

If you’re shopping for a certificate authority, don’t just click on the first name that pops up. Let these factors guide your decision-making:

• Reputation and trust: A CA should have a long history of secure, reliable certificate issuance.
• Compliance and security: Trusted CAs follow strict public key infrastructure (PKI) guidelines and undergo independent audits.
• Customer support: When you need last-minute help with a certificate installation or renewal, 24/7 expert support will be a gold standard you’re grateful to have.
• Additional tools and services: Some CAs offer management platforms for large-scale certificate lifecycle management.

Where to buy a TLS/SSL certificate

You can purchase a TLS/SSL certificate from any trusted certificate authority, but if you’re looking for the best in the industry, ����TV ticks all the boxes.

With nearly two decades of experience, ����TV provides over 22 million active TLS certificates and serves the majority of Fortune 500 companies. Our commitment to security includes:

• Over two dozen independent audits annually
• 24/7, five-star customer support
• Industry-leading innovation in certificate management

Whether you need TLS/SSL certificates, code signing certificates, or document signing certificates, ����TV has you covered.

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