What are EV and OV certificates, and do I need one?

SSL certificates come in three validation levels. They all encrypt traffic to the same standard; the difference is how thoroughly the certificate authority checks who you are.

• DV (Domain Validated). Confirms you control the domain. This is what our free Let's Encrypt certificates are, and it is right for the vast majority of business websites.
• OV (Organisation Validated). The authority verifies your registered company details, which appear in the certificate. Useful for larger organisations wanting extra assurance.
• EV (Extended Validation). The most rigorous vetting of your legal entity.

Do you need OV or EV? For most UAE small businesses, no. Modern browsers no longer show a special green company name for EV, so the visible padlock looks the same as with a free DV certificate. The practical trust signal your customers see is identical.

OV or EV can make sense if a partner, tender or compliance requirement specifically demands company details in the certificate. In that case you would buy the certificate from a provider and install it through the DirhamHost SSL/TLS tool.

Unsure which is right for your situation? Ask our team on WhatsApp +971 58 553 6767 or support@dirhamaday.ae and we will advise honestly.