Digital Signature Certificate Simplified

 What is the content of the DSC or Digital Signature Certificate?

The certificate contains information about a user's identity like name, photo ID, Pincode, Nation, email address, the  DSC issue date the name of the Certifying Authority or CA. The DSC also contains the public key that is represented as an encrypted hash and this is the sender's signature in electronic form. The public is used to decode the electronic document or message.

The main purpose of the DSC is to identify the sender and the above content is enough to do that.  Thus digital signatures are electronic forms of signatures that are represented as a hash in encrypted form.  While the main function of the private key is to encrypt the electronic document or message the public key works to decode them. It is not possible to manipulate the document since the public key gets changed while manipulating and the receiver is easily able to find that out.

When a document is manipulated by a hacker or an unauthorized person the receiver public key cannot function since the hash values change and the fraud is discovered. Remember the private key is always kept a secret by the sender.  If private keys are known then manipulation can take place hence it is kept a secret. This makes digital signatures highly secure and when certified by a CA they can be used for legal purposes. 

CAs that issue digital signatures to a third party authorized by CCA or controller of certifying authority under the MCA or ministry of corporate affairs. The information technology act was passed in the year 2000. 

Applying online for Digital Signature Certification

Businesses and organizations need to obtain the digital signature certification for the CA. The application for obtaining DSC online can be sent via email. The CA website comprises details on how to apply online. You need not go personally to the  CA Office. Photocopy of all the documents required should be sent online. The procedure takes five days including the video interview. India has adopted the smoothest approach to applying and obtaining DSC online.        

Usually, the DSC is valid for one year and is renewed thereafter. The CAs charge a nominal fee for the issuance of digital signature certificates.