What is Digital Signature Certificate and its Features?
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure electronic key that serves as a digital equivalent to handwritten signatures. It validates the authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation of electronic documents, messages, or transactions over the internet. Digital signatures can provide proof of origin, time, identity, and status of a digital document.
There are typically two types of Digital Signature Certificates Class 3 Individual and Class 3 Orgnaisation based. The classification is based on the level of identity verification performed by the CA.
Here are some key features of DSC:
- Authentication: DSCs authenticate the identity of the sender or signatory in digital communications.
- Data Integrity: DSCs ensure the integrity of electronic documents or transactions.
- Non-Repudiation: DSCs prevent signatories from denying their involvement in a transaction or communication.
- Legal Validity: In many jurisdictions, including those adhering to electronic signature laws like the eIDAS Regulation in the European Union or the ESIGN Act in the United States, DSCs hold legal validity equivalent to handwritten signatures. They can be used to sign legally binding contracts and agreements.
- Security: DSCs use encryption techniques to secure digital signatures, making them extremely difficult to forge or replicate.
Applications of Digital Signature Certificate in India
Type of DSC |
Where to use |
Class-3 (Signing Only) |
|
Class-3 (Signing+Encryption) |
- E-Tender/Bidding
- ICEGATE
- CBSE
|
Where to Use Online Digital Signature in India