DigiCert Software Trust Manager vs Notation

DigiCert Software Trust Manager governs and automates software signing across artifacts, tools, and teams. Signing workflows can run after security checks and cover containers, binaries, and other artifacts, including Windows packages, Java archives, Android APK/AAB files, and macOS application and installer formats. Teams can use Signing Manager Controller, command-line tools, or the Click-to-sign graphical application, and connect workflows through native connectors, GitHub Actions, CLI tools, and APIs. Role- and team-based access, policy templates, workflows, and approvals govern high-risk signing actions. Logs link signed items to an actor and time for audits and incident response. Keys can be stored in FIPS 140-2 Level 3 or Common Criteria EAL4+ HSMs, with regional storage options. Threat detection includes software composition analysis, static binary analysis, Apple notarization scans, and DAST. Use requires a DigiCert ONE host environment, API key, client authentication certificate, and certificate password; two-factor authentication is required for all users. Pricing is on request, and a 30-day trial is listed.

Notation is a command-line tool for signing and verifying container images and other artifacts in OCI registries, including software bills of materials. It implements the Notary Project specifications, which are intended to help secure software supply chains. Its signatures can move between OCI registries and be validated in connected, intermittently connected, or disconnected environments without additional server infrastructure. The specifications define signature envelopes using COSE or JWS. Notation can integrate with existing key management systems through a plugin model, with instructions for Azure Key Vault and AWS Signer. Developers and CI/CD pipelines can create signatures and store them alongside signed artifacts. The project provides a quick start for signing and validating a container image. Notation runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and is free under the Apache 2.0 license. Cloud signing, trusted timestamping, and CI/CD signing are listed capabilities; a certificate is not provided. The specifications repository lists a 2023 security audit, and the project overview describes continuous fuzz testing across three repositories.