What is DSC? Apply for Digital Certificate Online

A digital certificate is an encrypted electronic file certified by a legitimate authority called CA, short for certifying authority. The DSC is used to verify the identity of a party or the sender on the Net. This is required since most of the electronic transactions are carried out between the sender and the receiver which can be an organization. Hence, the identities of both may not be known since meeting personally is not possible.  But the DSC confirms the identity of the sender to the receiver. 

CA or Certifying Authority

You can consider it as an "electronic passport." Since DSC is issued by an authorized body called CA it is highly acceptable. CA is authorized by a government body CCA or the controller of certifying authority under the IT ACT 2006 both are government bodies and hence acceptable to all. Thus, we can equate it with a passport. 

Even though the certificate is issued by CA the file can be manipulated during electronic messaging or transmission. But unfortunately for the manipulator, the public key that has been manipulated will not match with the public sent by the sender hence the fraud can be detected. This is what makes the digital signature certificate highly secure.   

Public Key Infrastructure

To understand this phenomenon we must first understand public key infrastructure. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) or key pair leverages encryption to provide and manage digital certificates. The digital signature is produced not by pen and is not like the usual electronic signature we see as printed on pdf. and word documents. Digital signatures are a product of cryptographical encryption technology developed in the USA. 

PKI is used in a range of activities such as e-commerce, internet banking, and confidential emails. The process involves the use of hardware (computer)software(hash algorithms)and a messaging system. The core function involves the creation of a private key by the sender which is kept secret and is thus secure. This function is performed by the hash algorithm which also generates a public key that is meant to be sent to the receiver. The public is certified by the CA as the stamp of authority that certifies the bona fide of the sender.  In the DSC or digital signature certificate the personal details of the sender are given including the contact address.

If you wish to send messages and documents through the electronic medium you can use the DSC issued by CA to verify your bonafide to the receiver. Remember, the certificate issued by CA or an authorized partner costs money and is usually valid for one year. You can apply online for DSC in India. You can contact the CA, and send the required details, and photocopy of Ids. Once this is done an online interview follows where the original photocopy sent is verified. You receive the DSC within five days.