To find out what type of cloud digital certificate To choose, first define who will be the account holder and how the credentials will be used. For an individual. sign documentsThe most common option is the A3 certificate stored in the cloud. For companies, it is also necessary to consider the transition from ICP-Brasil to Electronic Seals, intended to prove the origin and integrity of organizational documents.
In this article, we will introduce the 4 main types of cloud digital certificates, helping you understand which one is best suited to your business needs.
Summary
- What is a digital certificate stored in the cloud?
- Which type to use for an individual or a company?
- Differences between A1, A3 and Electronic Stamps.
- How HSM and remote access work.
- How to compare BirdID, RemoteID, VIDaaS and SafeID.
- What changes will occur in ICP-Brasil by 2029?
Quick facts
- Remote storage: With a cloud-based certificate, the private key is stored in an HSM maintained by an accredited Trusted Service Provider, and the holder can access it via the internet.
- Type A3: The A3 certificate can be stored on a card, token, or directly in the cloud and is valid for one to five years, depending on the product issued.
- Change for businesses: ICP-Brasil is gradually replacing corporate signature certificates with the Electronic Seal, which identifies the organization as the origin of the document, but does not represent a declaration of intent.
What are the types of cloud-based digital certificates?
Os digital certificates cloud-based solutions offer a combination of security, flexibility and compliance with legislation, being essential tools for companies seeking to optimize processes, reduce costs and guarantee the legal validity of their electronic signatures.
Check out, below, a detailed description of the main types of cloud digital certificates – Bird ID, RemoteID, VIDaas and SafeID – with their main features, benefits and practical applications.
1. Bird ID
O Bird ID offers a practical solution for professionals who need to authenticate and sign documents online. Completely digital, this certificate eliminates the need for powers of attorney and visits to notary offices, making the process more efficient.
Functioning as a virtual identity, Bird ID facilitates access to government portals, such as eCAC, PJe and Gov.com, as does the CPF for individuals and the Tax ID For businesses.
Bird ID is especially recommended for these professionals to verify their virtual identity in a simplified manner, allowing users to carry out their daily activities without the need for other additional documents.
Benefits
Easy access: Bird ID can be installed on both computers and smartphones via an app, offering flexibility in use.
Elimination of physical devices: This certificate eliminates the need for physical encrypted devices, such as tokens and smartcards, further simplifying the authentication process.
Safety and convenience: provides greater data security, allows documents to be signed quickly and easily, and simplifies authentication on government portals. In addition, it eliminates the need for powers of attorney and other bureaucratic formalities, with records stored in the cloud.
2. RemoteID
O RemoteID is a cloud-based digital certificate that brings innovation and agility to administrative and commercial processes for companies of all sizes, including individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs) and self-employed professionals.
It guarantees electronic transactions with legal validity and security, and can be accessed from anywhere in the world, at any time.
Ideal for any user who needs a practical and secure digital certificate, it is accessible on various devices without the need to install drivers. It is available in RemoteID e-CPF A3 and RemoteID e- versions.Tax ID A3. For those who already validated the certificate and need help with installation, there is an online manual to guide the activation process at cellular and computers.
Benefits
Mobility and unlimited access: Unlike traditional certificates stored on physical devices, RemoteID allows unrestricted access from any device, providing flexibility for users.
Operational advantages: It offers instant access for employees, expansion of digital services, real-time management of the certificate lifecycle, faster authentication on websites and reduced security costs.
Advanced Security: transactions are protected by multi-layer encryption and a double authentication system, using PIN and tokenization code, ensuring legal validity by ICP-Brazil and by the National Institute of Information Technology (ITI).
3. VIDaas
The application LIFEaS allows users to access their certificates in a practical, secure and integrated way, without the need for physical tokens or smart cards. Its innovative technology allows the operating system to automatically recognize the digital certificate in the cloud, facilitating operations such as electronic signatures and authentication in legacy systems.
It is ideal for professionals and companies that need to perform electronic signatures quickly and securely, such as in contracts, powers of attorney, certificates and medical prescriptions.
The flexibility to sign in from any device is especially valuable for mobile users, such as executives and healthcare professionals, who can access their credentials from anywhere in the world.
Benefits
Practicality and mobility: The possibility of accessing the digital certificate from anywhere, at any time, provides unparalleled flexibility, ideal for professionals who need agility in the signing processes.
Advanced Security: With keys stored on an HSM server, VIDaas offers high security against fraud and unauthorized access. Its certification as a Trust Service Provider (CSP) guarantees compliance with national digital security standards.
Physical hardware elimination: Using cloud certificates eliminates the need for tokens or cryptographic cards, which can be lost or forgotten, allowing the certificate to be used on any device with internet access.
4. SafeID
O SafeID It is a cloud-based digital certificate that can be used as an e-CPF or e-CNPJ. This certificate eliminates the need for physical media, allowing access from any authorized computer via a smartphone. In addition, the certificate can be issued via videoconference, in person or online.
It is recommended for professionals who need a reliable and accessible digital certificate in different situations. Its flexibility allows it to be issued in different formats, in addition to facilitating the signing of documents anywhere.
Synchronization between devices and high security make SafeID a practical and secure option for managing digital documents.
Benefits
Usage history: SafeID provides an activity log, allowing users to track certificate usage.
Multi-device synchronization: The certificate can be associated with multiple devices, allowing a computer to be linked to the user's smartphone.
High security: SafeID storage follows strict security standards, ensuring the protection of user information.
| Need | Most suitable option | Main care |
| A private individual can sign documents. | Cloud-based A3 certificate | Confirm compatibility with the systems used. |
| Representative to sign on behalf of the company | Personal certificate of the representative, with adequate powers. | The certificate does not replace a power of attorney or corporate powers. |
| Company must prove the origin of documents. | Electronic Seal | The seal identifies the organization, but does not express its will. |
| Server, system or automated equipment | Specific Applications Certificate | Check if the system already accepts the new model. |
| Legal entity during the transition | Compatible business certificate | Planning for adaptation to the changes expected for 2029 |
| Use on multiple devices | A3 cloud-based solution compliant | Check the application, operating system, and integrated portals. |
⚠️ Also check out these related articles 👇
➡️ Learn how to sign with a digital certificate
➡️ Understand what a digital signature verifier is for
➡️ What is a digital contract and how to adopt one for your company
Which type of cloud-based digital certificate should I choose?
Choosing the ideal cloud digital certificate depends on understanding your company's specific needs, always focusing on reducing costs and optimizing internal processes. Here are some recommendations to guide this choice.
Assess subscription volume and need for scalability
Companies that deal with a large volume of documents signed daily, such as contracts, commercial proposals and terms of service, should opt for a certificate that offers high scalability, such as VIDaas.
This choice helps avoid operational bottlenecks, reduces paper costs and streamlines processes, increasing the organization's ROI.
Check the owner, purpose, and compatibility.
If your business operates in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or law, where compliance with digital certification standards is essential, RemoteID is an excellent choice.
It meets the requirements of ICP-Brasil and provides legal security for digital signatures, eliminating the need for physical processes and reducing the time spent on audits and validations.
Prioritize mobility and remote access
For companies with remote teams or that need agility in approvals and signatures, Bird ID is a practical and efficient solution.
Its use eliminates the need for travel and investment in physical tokens, offering valid and secure signatures from anywhere – which reduces costs and optimizes workflow, making the business environment more dynamic.
Focus on security and protection of sensitive data
If data security is a priority, especially in industries that deal with sensitive information, Safe ID is the best choice.
With advanced security protocols and a strong focus on privacy, it ensures that transactions and documents are protected against fraud and unauthorized access, helping to maintain the integrity of internal processes and customer trust.
Consider integration with existing systems
Choosing a certificate that easily integrates with the management systems your company already uses, such as CRMs, ERPs or document management platforms, is essential to optimize processes.
Certificates like RemoteID and VIDaas offer simple integration options, making it easy to automate workflows and reduce administrative burden.
Evaluate technical support and ease of use
The choice of a cloud digital certificate must also take into account the technical support offered by the provider and the ease of use of the platform.
Opting for solutions that provide ongoing support and an intuitive interface, such as VIDaaS, can result in faster and more effective adoption, minimizing training time and ensuring your team can take advantage of all available features.
Regardless of the type of certificate chosen, the right digital signature platform can maximize the benefits of this technology. ZapSign offers digital signature solutions that perfectly align with the needs of companies seeking agility, security and cost reduction.
With an intuitive interface and advanced features, ZapSign is the ideal choice for those who want to modernize their digital signature processes and achieve better results.
Click here to learn about ZapSign's digital signature solution and discover how it can transform the way your company manages digital documents and contracts!
For individuals to sign documents, the most commonly used option is a cloud-based A3 certificate. Companies should also evaluate Electronic Seals and Application-Specific certificates, depending on their purpose.
The signing certificate stored in a remote HSM is typically of type A3. The A1 type is stored as a file in software or on a device.
Both can belong to type A3. In the token, the private key is stored on a physical device; in the cloud, it remains on a remote HSM and is accessed via the internet.
No. They are commercial cloud-based digital certificate solutions. The technical type, holder, chain, and purpose must be verified for each product.
Yes. ITI informs that certificates stored in the cloud can be accessed via computers, smartphones, or tablets, depending on the solution and system compatibility.
Some providers support cloud-based certificate login on GOV.BR. The list of available providers should be consulted with the service provider itself before subscribing.
A signature certificate identifies an individual and records their expression of will. An electronic seal identifies the organization as the origin of the document, without representing a personal signature.
The private key is stored in an HSM of an accredited Trusted Service Provider. Security also depends on protecting the mobile phone, passwords, authentication factors, and exclusive use by the owner.
ICP-Brasil is transitioning to restrict A3 and A4 signature certificates to individuals and to use Electronic Seals for legal entities. The migration is expected to be completed in 2029.
Getúlio Santos is the CEO of ZapSign, a lawyer, technology enthusiast, and entrepreneur.
