What are the different types of digital certificates? Understand them!

Types of digital certificates: read the text and discover the main types and their specifications.

What is a digital certificate?

A digital certificate functions as a document, a kind of virtual identity that can represent a company or even a person.

With this electronic identification card, you can sign documents without having to be physically present at the location.

Therefore, an electronic signature has the same legal value as a signature you make on paper in person.

One of the many features of this signature is that it does not need to be notarized to be legally valid.

This electronic document contains important and non-transferable information about the person or company that uses it.

It is a very important item for ensuring security in digital transactions. In an era where most of our operations are carried out in a digital environment, this product certainly becomes a great ally.

Now, continue reading and discover the main types of digital certificate.

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What are the main types of digital certificates?

You digital certificate templates They vary, and each one has a specific purpose. There are situations where a company needs to have more than one digital certificate.

Understanding what they are Types of digital certificates Understanding the differences between them is very important to avoid obtaining a certificate that is inappropriate for you or your company.

See below what they are and the demand model that each one meets!

Type A

A type A digital certificate is a digital signature certificate. It serves to identify the signer, and is also responsible for authenticating a transaction and confirming that the document has not been altered.

It is one of the most widely used, and is recommended, for example, for freelancers who need to send signed documents in a virtual environment.

Beyond that, it can simplify the routine of large organizations that have a high volume of document validation; certainly, routine work will be optimized.

There are three variations of this option: A1, A3, and A4. Understand the differences between A1 and A3, which are the ones commonly used.

Digital certificate types _A1

The A1 type digital certificate is valid for one year. It is installed and stored directly on a computer, and can even be installed on multiple computers simultaneously.

It provides great speed when signing documents, as it does not depend on external devices.

In addition, it allows you to back up your digital certificate, so the certificate holder does not lose the file if the computer is formatted.

Another important advantage of this type of certificate is that it does not require the installation of card readers.

Types of digital certificate _ A3

This model is stored on a token, which functions like a USB drive, or on a smart card, so it can be taken anywhere.

They have a longer lifespan, ranging from 1 to 3 years. Their security level is also higher, considered inviolable.

The reason it's more secure is that it cannot be extracted or copied to another medium; furthermore, only the password holder can use it, meaning it's personal and non-transferable.

Type S

Type S digital certificates are used to guarantee the confidentiality of information. They encrypt the data, so it can only be accessed by authorized individuals.

One of its main uses is to send an email with confidential content, for example. This way, you prevent other people from accessing the content without authorization.

This protection is ideal for companies that need to exchange confidential information frequently.

The main variations of this certificate are S1, S3, and S4.

Type T

Type T is better known as a time certificate. Its main purpose is to demonstrate when a digital document was issued.

It clearly indicates the exact time and date the information came into existence. It can be used in conjunction with types A and S, as it is ideal for preventing certain types of fraud.

e-CPF

This certificate is the digital version of our CPF, the main identification document for individuals. However, it serves to guarantee the veracity of electronic transactions.

It functions like a personal signature and can be used to sign contracts, for example, and to access the Federal Revenue Service website.

This model uses the same technology as the type A certificate, and can be issued in versions A1 and A3.

e-CNPJ

This is the digital certificate for legal entities. It is responsible for guaranteeing the integrity and veracity of transactions carried out by companies in the electronic environment.

Among the actions that a company holding this digital certificate can perform, we find, for example, closing contracts and issuing powers of attorney.

It is also issued and stored using the A1 and A3 models.

NF-e

The NF-e is used to issue electronic invoices. With it, the authorized user cannot make any changes on behalf of the company.

It is extremely important for the company, as it guarantees the authorship and legal validity of the invoices.

Before purchasing this certificate, it is important to check if it is compatible with models A1 and A3, thus avoiding any incorporation problems.

As you can see, these are the main ones. Types of digital certificates, that is, the best known and most widely used.

However, there are still others that are more specific in certain areas, for example:

e-Health - digital certificate intended for healthcare professionals.
e-Jurídico - exclusively for lawyers.
e-Contador - electronic identification of accountants.

Conclusion

Digital transformation is progressing rapidly. The exchange of information between people and companies in this environment is growing every day.

Therefore, a great need was detected to guarantee the security and integrity of information exchanged virtually.

You Types of digital certificates They serve to support this digital transformation and bring more security to operations that take place over the internet.

Speaking of digital transformation, the work-from-home model is on the rise; in fact, new rules have even been created to make this trend more flexible. You might also like to read 👉 "MP Home Office: Learn about the new rules that have come into effect."

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Nara Sampaio

SEO writer, digital content creator, and virtual assistant. An introvert who found in writing a way to express herself and share knowledge!

April 12, 2022

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