More and more steps are being taken towards the digitalization of procedures in Colombia. Universities, public organizations and private companies are facilitating the management of procedures to citizens through the use of digital certificates. However, to avoid fraud and risks, it is essential to have a digital certificate issued by an authorized entity or, as it is technically known, a Digital Certification Entity.
For this reason, today we tell you which entities are authorized to issue digital certificates in Colombia. This will save you from compromising your data and protect confidential information.
What is a digital certificate and why is it important?
A digital certificate is a digital file issued by a trusted third party (technically a Certification Authority) to natural persons, legal entities or services, and that allows its identification in an unequivocal way by linking it with a public key. Thanks to them, it is possible to verify that a person, company or system is really who it claims to be and that it is not someone else who is impersonating its identity.
A digital certificate contains the following information:
- Identification of the certificate holder
- Public key of the certificate holder
- Validity date
- Serial number
- Identification of the certificate issuer
As a tool, it is essential to carry out a secure digital authentication. In fact, the digital certificate can be used to identify yourself in online procedures and will have the same validity as the DNI or ID card in face-to-face procedures.
What is a Digital Certification Authority?
A Digital Certification Authority is a private or public organization responsible for issuing, managing and revoking digital certificates. Its participation is essential to ensure the security of transactions, operations and digital procedures carried out.
How does the process work?
Any user can apply for a digital certificate through 3 simple steps:
- Submission of the request by the user.
- The Certification Entity verifies the user’s identity through various elements such as official documents, biometric validation or video call; in some cases, even in person.
- After verifying the identity, a digital certificate is generated that will include the information indicated in the section ‘What is a digital certificate and why is it important’. That is, the holder’s name, public key, validity date and serial number of the certificate, and identification of the issuer.
It is important to note that, in case of detecting any anomaly or irregularity, the Certification Entity has the authority to revoke the certificate.
Entities authorized to issue digital certificates in Colombia
There are nine entities authorized to issue digital certificates in Colombia, which are recognized by the National Accreditation Body of Colombia (ONAC). In this country, the ONAC is the only national accreditor through the Single Regulatory Decree of the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Sector.
Learn more information about each of the entities authorized to issue digital certificates in Colombia. All of them have acquired the CEA-3.0-07 V-02 standard.
Viafirma
Since March 2025, Viafirma acts as a Digital Certification Entity in Colombia, consolidating its position as a reference company in digital identification in the country through the acquisition of the CEA-3.0-07 V-02 standard. This accreditation entitles us to issue digital signature certificates for legal entities, as well as to offer timestamping services in the generation, transmission and reception of data messages.
You can find more information about these services in the following link.
PKI Services
This Bogota-based company specializes in technological innovation and has a broad portfolio of legal and technical consulting, architecture and support services in the public key infrastructure-PKI environment.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Entity: May 2022
OLIMPIA
Olimpia IT is a technology company from Bogota dedicated to the development of platforms and business for the transformation and digital protection of Colombia. They offer solutions that allow the transfer of procedures, services and face-to-face requests to the digital world, with the main objective of avoiding risks of fraud and identity theft.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Entity: July 2021
ANDES DIGITAL CERTIFICATION SERVICE
Colombian entity that provides digital certification and electronic identification services. Its efforts are focused on facilitating digital transformation in public and private organizations, ensuring the security and legal validity of electronic processes.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Entity: December 2016
LLEIDA.NET
It is a Spanish company specialized in certified electronic communication services. In Colombia it operates as a Certification Entity, offering services such as certified electronic notifications and digital contracts. Its objective is to provide reliable and secure tools with legal value to support business digitalization.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Entity: April 2023
THOMAS SIGNE
Thomas Signe was created from the union between Thomas Greg and Signe, two leaders in security document printing. It seeks to help and boost the digitization and transformation of companies and society through competitive technological solutions. For this purpose, it has different solutions; the main one is eTítulo: an authentic and official digital copy of the university degree, which has the same legal validity as the paper degree.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Entity: October 2018
ELECTRONIC SECURITY MANAGEMENT (GSE)
Colombian company with experience in digital security services. As a Certification Entity, it provides solutions to guarantee the authenticity, integrity and non-repudiation of information in online environments. Its services are designed for sectors that require high levels of protection and regulatory compliance, such as banking, health, education and government.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Authority: December 2016
CAMERFIRMA
Camerfirma is an eIDAS Qualified Certification Authority that offers companies from a wide range of sectors digital solutions focused on improving business operational processes and interaction with their customers. Camerfirma Colombia is accredited as a Certification Entity by ONAC.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Entity: February 2020.
SOCIEDAD CAMERAL DE CERTIFICACIÓN DIGITAL
Commonly known as Certicámara, it was created in 2001 by the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce in association with other chambers of commerce in the country with the aim of providing technical and legal security to transactions, communications, applications and any other digital information management process.
- Date of publication of the granting as Certification Entity: October 2016
Trust in the best hands
Having a digital certificate issued by an accredited certification entity is a mandatory step to ensure authenticity and security in any electronic transaction. In an environment that advances at a fast pace, choosing a reliable and respectable certification entity such as Viafirma is a strategic decision that protects your identity and ensures the legal validity of your processes.
If you are interested in knowing more information about how to obtain a digital certificate in Colombia or implement digital solutions, do not hesitate to contact us.
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