Signs and Indicators to know about having Code Signing Problem

Code signing is vital for organizations to validate the genuineness of software programs. It’s been around for ages but it’s only now that the technology has been widely used to authenticate your application code or executable files.

Digitally signed software ensures that the software is safe for download, installation, and use and prevents any code alteration or forgery. It offers data integrity to prove the code has not been modified or tampered with and provides source authentication to identify who signed the code.

Even though the code signing certificates boost trust and confidence in users, it’s one of the prime targets for cybercriminals. They steal code signing credentials of verified companies to sign their own malicious code and distribute it to access sensitive user data.

When an application is signed with legitimate credentials, it won’t show any warning message. This will lead users to believe the software is genuine and safe for usage. But in reality, it’ll compromise the security of users and put their data in jeopardy.

But are there any signs or indicators to know if your software or company has code signing certificate problems? Yes, there are. But before we get into those, let’s understand what code signing is and how it works.

What is Code Signing & How Does It Work?

Users often worry whether the software they found online is from the original source or not and whether cybercriminals are prying on their data. With a code signing certificate, companies can assure users that the software is coming from an authentic source.

It’s a process where software distributors acquire digital certificates from renowned code signing certificate providers. This gives users surety that the software they are downloading and installing is from the original creators and it hasn’t been modified since.

The code signing process involves several steps starting with creating a unique pair of keys. The keys are created using a public-private cryptography hash. The public key is sent to the certificate authority (CA) like Sectigo Code Signing or Comodo Code Signing to verify it.

The code of the software is then run through a one-way hash function that turns the text in the function into an arbitrary value. This value is not reversible and encrypts the private key. Thus, this private key encryption makes it tamper-proof, which is then combined with other aspects to send the digitally signed software to consumers.

Signs & Indicators to Know That Your Company Has Code Signing Certificate Problems

Most companies will call it a day once they acquire a code signing certificate for their software products. They do not put in sufficient effort to protect their code signing keys. Further, they don’t have a streamlined process and workflows that limit the usage of code signing credentials.

But if you want to know whether your organization has a code signing problem or not, pay attention to the following signs and indicators:

1. Don’t Have a Strong Credential Usage Policy

The first sign is not having a strong credential usage policy where you can control the access of who and how many times one can use them. Having a detailed policy helps you regulate and limit the code signing credential usage.

When preparing a strong credential usage policy, you must define where private keys are stored and who can have access to them. Also, find a responsible person that helps you in streamlining the code signing credential usage policy.

2. Is Your Company in Control

Another thing that can indicate if you have a code signing issue is how much control your company has across all the teams. Find out if your company has to enforce the credential usage policy to all the software development teams.

Also, get to know whether your software is for internal-only usage or will they get distributed to other 3rd-parties as well. Knowing such details will put your company in a better control position for mitigating code signing certificate problems. 

3. Not Able to Locate the Certificate

Companies with multiple software lineups can have multiple code signing certificates. This makes it hard to know and sometimes locate certain certificates. God forbid, but if some software on the internet signed with your code signing credential is found, do you know what to do and where to look for?

Regardless of the certificate authority that validates the certificate, you must have control and know the complete inventory of certificates issued in your company’s name.

4. Sluggish Operations

Slow and labor-intensive processes are another big issue your company may have when handling code signing certificates. Sluggish code signing operations can cost you significantly and impact your team’s productivity levels.

Test and find how you can remove or improve such sluggish processes and fast-track them for enhanced performance. If possible, prepare a team that can circumvent or handle such processes efficiently.

5. Not Capable Team to Use Code Signing Everywhere

Not having a dedicated team of developers that can manage code signing for every executable is another indicator of code signing issues. If your company limits the usage of the code signing certificate due to the limited availability of subject matter experts, it can wreak havoc on your company.

What you can do to avert this is to build a separate team that handles all the code signing certificate issuances for each software. Doing so will allow your team to work better and more productively.

Final Words

So, these were some of the signs that indicate your company may have code signing certificate problems. If you can identify 3 or more signs your company is suffering from, then you have severe code signing issues and must act instantly.

Since you are responsible for protecting such critical business information, you first need to understand how many code signing certificates your company has, where the private keys are stored, and how secure they are. Also, find the authorized persons that can have access to such sensitive information.

By getting your hands on such necessary data, you can get a stronghold on your code signing process and save your company from disasters.