A digital signature is a means of verifying the authenticity and integrity of a message. This is achieved by using public key cryptography techniques combined with cryptographic hash functions. Combined with trusted time-stamping mechanisms, the digital signature can also be used to provide non-repudiation functions that’s how it works.
Digital Signature
Digital signatures create a virtual fingerprint that is unique to an individual or entity and are used to identify users and protect the information in digital messages or documents and ensures no distortion occurs when in transit between signer and receiver.
Benefits of Digital/Electronic Signature
- Increased Contract Speed
- Lower Transaction Cost
- Enhanced Security
How Digital/Electronic Signature work?
Digital signatures are based on public key cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography. Using a public key algorithm, such as RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), two keys are generated, creating a mathematically linked pair of keys, one private and one public.
Digital signatures work through public key cryptography’s two mutually authenticating cryptographic keys. The individual who creates the digital signature uses a private key to encrypt signature-related data, while the only way to decrypt that data is with the signer’s public key.
If the recipient can’t open the document with the signer’s public key, that’s a sign there’s a problem with the document or the signature. This is how digital signatures are authenticated.
Digital/Electronic Signature Certificates
Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) is the electronic format of physical or paper certificate like a driving License, passport etc. Certificates serve as proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose; for example, a Passport identifies someone as a citizen of that country; who can legally travel to any country. Likewise, a Digital Signature Certificate can be presented electronically to prove your identity, to access information or services on the Internet or to sign certain documents digitally.
Types of Digital/Electronic Signature
- Simple or Basic electronic signature (SES)
- Advanced electronic or digital signature (AES)
- Qualified advanced electronic or digital signature (QES)
Summary
The important reason to implement digital signature to communication is Authentication, Non-repudiation, Integrity which is very difficult to maintain in the today’s world, as everything become public on internet. So, we should use the Digital Signature to maintain authenticity.
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