The following guide will help you complete the generation, validation, collection, and installation processes for our Email and Document Signing Certificates. Other than the purchasing process, please complete the steps below at the employee’s terminal using Firefox as your default browser. Each employee should be mindful of clicking links during this process as their default browser may be Google Chrome or Internet Explorer; not Firefox which would cause an error and disrupt the entire process.
Generation
Using Firefox as the default browser at the employee’s terminal, click “Generate Cert Now” in your Account Dashboard and enter the required organization and contact details.
Note: The Admin Contact Email Address will be the same email included in the CPAC/IDC for signing and encrypting digital messages.
Validation
Upon generation, the CA will send an email titled “Please verify your application” with a unique set of instructions.
- Locate that email.
- Copy the link address and paste into Firefox.
- Enter your email address.
- Return to the same email.
- Copy the collection code.
- Return to Firefox and paste the code into the available field.
- Check I ACCEPT and click Submit & Continue.
- Next, click Request My Certificate Now to download the certificate in Firefox.
Collection
Upon completing the validation process, each employee must locate the downloaded certificate in the Firefox Certificate Manager folder and collect/back up the certificate in a PCKS#12 (.p12) format. Reference these instructions on How do I backup my certificate with Firefox?
Installation
Upon saving the PCKS#12 file to your desktop, follow the instructions below to import the CPAC into Outlook to start signing & encrypting your digital messages.
- Open Microsoft Outlook
- Click the File tab
- Select Options
- Click Trust Center and then Trust Center Settings
- Select Email Security
- Click Import/Export under Digital IDs (Certificates)
- Click Browse… and locate the PKCS#12 file
- Enter your PKCS#12 Password and click OK
- Select Encrypt contents and attachments for outgoing messages and Add digital signature to outgoing messages under the Encrypted email section.
- Click OK and close the dialog.
Now, to test your newly installed certificate, open a new email and message a colleague who also has the CPAC/IDC installed. Before clicking the send button, select the “Options” tab and choose to “Sign” the email under the Permissions section. This will allow your recipient to view, trust, and add your digital signature to their Contact folder. Afterwards, they can reply to your messages using the “Encrypt” Permission and start securing all data and attachments in transit.