Digital signature is an electronic signature which is used in signing any electronic document. We can also understand it by saying that as to sign any paper we need hand written signature similarly to sign an electronic document Digital signature is needed. Digital signatures are valid till 1-2 years and after that when its validity expires we need to issue fresh digital signature. One can have two digital signatures one for office purpose and other for personal purpose. Digitally signed document is also acceptable in court as valid signature and can be used as evidence.
Digital Signature Certificate- To prove the identity of the signer of the digital signature digital signature certificate is necessary. This certificate give validity to the digital signature of the person as it contains the signature of the certifying authority.
Classes of digital signature Certificate
- 1st class DSC- This class of signature is used in a document where risk associated with it is very minimal. It can be obtained in softcopy or can be stored in software.
- 2nd class DSC- this class of signature is used in documents where risk is moderate and signature is obtained or installed in hardware cryptographic device.
- 3rd class DSC- under this class signature is used where risk is very high. To obtain such certificate person has to produce himself before the certifying authority. It can be installed or stored in hardware cryptographic device
Process to obtain digital signature
There are four necessary steps to obtain a digital signature or digital signature certificate-
- Filling form– Firstly the applicant has to make an application to the certifying authority for issuing of digital signature certificate.
- Submission– After filling the form applicant has to send it to the registering authority by attaching all the necessary documents. In case of obtaining 3rd class DSC applicant has to produce himself before the certifying authority.
- Request status– This step is to check the status of the certificate that whether it is issued, pending or rejected. In case of pending status either the applicant can wait till authorities start process or can contact to the certifying authority that whether any document is missing or if any additional thing is required.
- Downloading of digital signature certificate– when the status of the request shows “certificate granted” then the final step of downing the digital signature certificate starts. Applicant can download the certificate by keeping in mind that the computer, browser and account used to download the certificate must be same with the one from which request of generating certificate is send because cymographic keys are generated and stored in the computer during enrolment which forms the technical basis for creation and use of digital certificate.
So, this is the process of obtaining digital signature. We can see that digital signatures are more beneficial and accurate then written signatures as the chances of errors are less.
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