What is an OV SSL certificate?

An OV SSL certificate, or Organization Validation SSL certificate, is a type of SSL certificate that provides a medium level of security and trust for your website. It is a step up from a DV SSL certificate, which only verifies the domain ownership of the website, but it is not as rigorous as an EV SSL certificate, which verifies the organization’s legal existence, domain ownership, and physical address.

OV SSL certificates undergo a more thorough validation process than DV certificates, but not as stringent as EV certificates. The verification process for OV certificates typically involves checking the domain registration details, organizational records, and business documents.

Benefits of OV SSL certificates:

• Enhanced security: OV SSL certificates use the same strong encryption algorithms as EV certificates, ensuring that sensitive data is protected from interception and manipulation.
• Increased trust: OV SSL certificates provide a higher level of trust than DV certificates, as the validation process helps to verify the website’s legitimacy. This can encourage users to engage with the website and provide their personal information.
• Positive user experience: OV SSL certificates display a padlock icon with the company name in the address bar of most browsers, indicating to users that the website is secure. This can provide a positive user experience and encourage visitors to interact with the website.
• Search engine ranking benefits: Some search engines, such as Google, may give websites with OV SSL certificates a ranking boost, potentially increasing visibility and organic traffic.

Drawbacks of OV SSL certificates:

• Less prominent validation process: OV SSL certificates do not undergo as rigorous a validation process as EV certificates. This can make them less appealing to businesses that handle a high volume of sensitive data.
• Higher cost than DV certificates: OV SSL certificates are more expensive than DV certificates due to the more thorough validation process.
• Not as visually prominent as EV certificates: OV SSL certificates do not display the green address bar that is associated with EV certificates.

Who should consider getting an OV SSL certificate?

OV SSL certificates are a good option for businesses that:

• Handle some sensitive personal information, but not the highest-value data
• Want to improve the security of their website without paying for the highest level of validation
• Want to benefit from the trust-building benefits of an SSL certificate without the visual prominence of an EV certificate
• Prioritize search engine ranking and brand reputation, but are not in highly regulated industries

If you are not sure whether an OV SSL certificate is right for your website, you can consult with a website security expert.