Are Your Applications Secure? 5 Signs That It Is Time for a Code Signing Certificate

In this article, you will learn:

• What a Code Signing certificate is and the risks of operating without one.
• When system warnings should raise red flags.
• Why digital signatures are now standard in regulated sectors and B2B collaborations.
• How to safeguard code integrity when using third-party and open-source libraries.
• How Code Signing supports scalability and builds user trust.

Code Signing Certificates – A Mark of Software Maturity

Software security extends far beyond unit tests and clean code. How you protect your applications from tampering is increasingly seen as a measure of professionalism, organisational maturity, and compliance with market requirements.

At the heart of this protection lies the Code Signing – a digital signature for your code.

Here are 5 clear signs that this is no longer a “nice to have” but a “must-have”.

1. Users see warnings during installation

If users encounter messages like:

• “Unknown publisher”,
• “This software might be dangerous”,
• “The system has blocked this application”,

it means that your executable files are either unsigned or incorrectly signed.

In today’s cautious digital environment, most users will abandon installation if the system does not recognise your application as trustworthy. This can lead to real loss of customers, reputation and conversions.

2. You develop installers, drivers, libraries, or desktop applications

Every .exe, .dll, .msi, .sys file or PowerShell script intended to run on a user’s machine should be digitally signed. This is about more than user convenience – it ensures:

• Compliance with operating system security policies (e.g., Windows, macOS),
• Compatibility with antivirus software and firewalls,
• Automating deployment in enterprise environments.

Publishing unsigned software exposes both you and your users to risk of impersonation and malware infection.

3. You operate in a regulated sector or work with large B2B clients

Sectors like finance, health care, automotive or energy operate under strict regulatory oversight. Data security, process transparency, and information integrity are non-negotiable. In these industries, Code Signing certificate is not just a technology add-on. It is a formal requirement in security procedures and audit standards and part of basic data protection hygiene.

A digital signature is often a prerequisite for:

• Deploying applications to the client’s systems,
• Passing compliance audits (ISO 27001, NIS2, TISAX),
• Collaborating with public sector entities or large corporations.

Lack of Code Signing may result in application rejection, contract termination, or exclusion from the market.

4. Your code uses open-source components or external APIs

Modern development heavily relies on external dependencies. Each imported package, library, or API is a potential attack vector – an entry point for malicious code.

A Code Signing certificate helps you:

• Prove your code originates from a trusted source,
• Maintain control over integrity even when using open-source libraries from GitHub or npm,
• Secure CI/CD builds and automatic updates.

If you are not signing your final artifacts, you lack full control over what users receive.

5. You plan to scale or offer SaaS

Every step towards scaling – new platform, new client, new market – increases risk and requirements. The more users your application reaches, the more critical its security becomes.

A Code Signing certificate allows you to:

• Earn the trust of clients and partners,
• Automate secure updates,
• Reduce the risk of attackers compromising your update infrastructure,
• Meet global cybersecurity standards.

Secure your code and grow your business

In today’s world of security and compliance, digital code signature is not an option – it is an industry standard. Organisations that neglect Code Signing certification face serious technical vulnerabilities. Even more damaging are the business consequences: lost deals, delayed deployments, restricted market access, and reputation damage.

Implementing a Code Signing certificate is an investment that pays off quickly. Not only by building user trust, but above all by unlocking opportunities in demanding, regulated markets.