The History of Signatures
It all must have started with a
thumb impression as the World moved towards modernization. As the writing paper came into the existence and
a large number of the populace become literature handwritten signatures came
into practice. The signatures became a vital instrument for acceptance, and
their impersonation and forced enforcement became a crime. All valid
documentation intended for legal purposes and otherwise required the producer
to sign using an inked pen.
The first instance of a pictorial
signature is recorded in 3000 BC. A series of pictures and symbols represented
a person in those days. In Sumeria in 3100 BC, a scribe named Gar Ama first
recorded his signature as a composition of words and pictures on a clay tablet.
Modern Signatures
It was the State of Fraud Act
1677 that truly legalized signatures as we recognize them today. Thus,
contracts began to be legalized by parties subject to an agreement, a contract,
or any legal tender. Signatures became
mandatory from then onwards.
Signatures in the Electronic Age
With the introduction of the Fax
Machine, Computers, and Printers a large amount of communication turned into a
digitized print form. The Fax machine became very popular and documents were
scanned and sent electronically. This was a great challenge to the
fast-developing business world thrust into a changing paradigm as technologies
advanced.
The E-Signature Technologies
Bill Clinton in the year 2000 signed the
E-Sign Act giving a big boost to electronic signature technologies. Thus data
or documents could be sent through electronic medium or faxed by legalizing
them with electronic signatures. This was revolutionary and the business world
was being transformed by technologies. The fast-advancing computerization, the
introduction of the Internet, and the World Wide Web. The introduction of email
messaging meant complete trade transactions on the Net. Electronic payment systems plugged the
remaining hole in online business a system where most often the two parties did
not meet each other but communicated electronically or on the World Wide Web.
Thus, acceptance of electronic
signatures revolutionalized online transactions and complete business modes.
But there were flaws, since sending documents or signed documents was fraught
with risk. A more secure method was
being developed using cryptographical means. A method that could encrypt
documents and prevent manipulation by hackers. This development was advancing
fast and the emergence of digital signatures was becoming a possibility from
1988 onwards.
The Emergence of Digital
Signatures & Benefits
In 1988 digital signature scheme
was launched. In the time to come, it has become a legal instrument in many
countries including India. In the year 2006 digital signatures became legal
under the Information Technology Act. DS is widely used in many legal tenders
all over the world. They are globally popular and help online businesses and
e-tendering grow.
DSC is secure and cannot be
manipulated and identify the sender. The certification guarantees it hence the
acronym DSC.
The DS short for digital
signature is certified CA or certifying authority. CA is an entrusted authority
that verifies the owner of the digital signature. In India, the CA is
authorized by the CCA or Controller of Certifying Authority under the Ministry
of Corporate Affairs or MCA. Businesses can obtain DSC Online from the CA Website. Thus there is no need to be physically present in the CA office. The DSC in India is generally issued in five days and sent by post to the registered address.
