Cheap & Best S/MIME Email Certificates in UK

S/MIME Email Certificates: Providers Compared

S/MIME Email Certificates are an essential component for anyone who values secure and trustworthy communication. They enable the encryption and signing of emails to ensure the confidentiality and authenticity of messages. Here, various offers are presented that allow users to effectively secure their digital communication.

What Variants of S/MIME Email Certificates Are There?

The three classes of S/MIME Email Certificates mainly differ in the depth of identity verification they require and, accordingly, in the level of trust they provide.

Class 1 Certificates:

• Purpose: These certificates are primarily intended for private or informal use.
• Validation Process: Validation is limited to verifying control over the email address specified in the certificate. This is usually done by sending a confirmation email to the specified address.
• Security Level: Since no personal identity data is verified, these certificates offer a basic level of security and are not recommended for business communication.

Class 2 Certificates:

• Purpose: Designed for professional users and companies that require more secure communication.
• Validation Process: A more comprehensive verification process is carried out, going beyond the email address. The certificate provider verifies the identity of the applicant through documents such as an ID card or a commercial register extract. Sometimes, the workplace is also verified.
• Security Level: By verifying the applicant's identity, Class 2 certificates offer a higher level of security and are suitable for use in business communication.

Class 3 Certificates:

• Purpose: These certificates are designed for highly sensitive applications, as often required by large companies or government agencies.
• Validation Process: The identity and authentication procedures for Class 3 certificates are particularly strict. They involve detailed checks of the identity and authority of the applicant as well as the organization. Personal meetings or notary verification are often required.
• Security Level: Class 3 certificates offer the highest available security level in terms of communication authentication and are ideal for protecting highly sensitive data.

This class structure allows users and organizations to choose the certificate that best suits their specific security needs and risk management requirements.