Digital Signature

Digital Signature

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a safe digital key that certifies the identity of the holder, issued by a Certifying Authority (CA). The digital equivalent of a handwritten signature or stamped seal, but providing far more inherent security, a digital signature is meant to solve the issue of tampering and impersonation in digital communications. A digital certificate is an electronic "credit card" that establishes your credentials when doing business or other transactions on the Internet. Digital Signatures come in the form of a USB E-Token, wherein the Digital Signature Certificate is stored in a USB Drive and can be accessed through a computer to sign documents electronically.

There are generally 3 types of Digital Signature Certificates Class I, Class- II and Class- III each having different level of security Class I certificates shall be issued to individuals private subscribers. Class-I digital Signatures used only for E-mail securing communication, Class-II type digital signature used for Company, Firm registrations, IT return E-filing and filing other forms with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Income Tax Department. Class-III type digital signatures are high assurance certificates, mostly meant for e-commerce applications; they shall be issued to individuals only on their personal (physical) appearance before the Certifying Authorities.

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