What is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) ?

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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.

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What is a Digital Signature?

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A digital signature is an electronic form of a signature that can be used to authenticate the identity of the sender of a message or the signer of a document, and also ensure that the original content of the message or document that has been sent is unchanged. Digital signatures are easily transportable and cannot be imitated by someone else. The ability to ensure that the original signed message arrived means that the sender cannot easily disclaim it later.

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Why do I need a Digital Signature Certificate?

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A Digital Signature Certificate authenticates your identity electronically. It also provides you with a high level of security for your online transactions by ensuring absolute privacy of the information exchanged using a Digital Signature Certificate. You can use certificates to encrypt information such that only the intended recipient can read it. You can digitally sign information to assure the recipient that it has not been changed in transit, and also verify your identity as the sender of the message.

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Where can I use Digital Signature Certificates?

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You can use Digital Signature Certificates for the following:

• For sending and receiving digitally signed and encrypted emails.

• For carrying out secure web-based transactions, or to identify other participants of web-based transactions.

• In eTendering, eProcurement, MCA [for Registrar of Companies efiling], Income Tax [for efiling income tax returns] Applications and also in many other applications.

• For signing documents like MSWord, MSExcel and PDFs.

• Plays a pivotal role in creating a paperless office.

 

 

How does a Digital Signature Certificate work?

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A Digital Signature Certificate explicitly associates the identity of an individual/device with a pair of electronic keys - public and private keys - and this association is endorsed by the CA. The certificate contains information about a user's identity (for example, their name, pincode, country, email address, the date the certificate was issued and the name of the Certifying Authority that issued it).
 

These keys complement each other in that one does not function in the absence of the other. They are used by browsers and servers to encrypt and decrypt information regarding the identity of the certificate user during information exchange processes. The private key is stored on the user's computer hard disk or on an external device such as a token. The user retains control of the private key; it can only be used with the issued password.
 

The public key is disseminated with the encrypted information. The authentication process fails if either one of these keys in not available or do not match. This means that the encrypted data cannot be decrypted and therefore, is inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

 

 

What is the difference between a Digital Signature and a Digital Signature Certificate?

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A digital signature is an electronic method of signing an electronic document whereas a Digital Signature Certificate is a computer based record that

• Identifies the Certifying Authority issuing it.

• Has the name and other details that can identify the subscriber.

• Contains the subscriber's public key.

• Is digitally signed by the Certifying Authority issuing it.

• Is valid for either one year or two years.

 

 

Can I use one Digital Signature Certificate for multiple e-mail addresses?

 

No, you cannot. A digital signature certificate can have only one email  address.

 

 

Can I use digital signature certificate in e-tendering systems?

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Digital signature certificates in e-tendering systems are allowed, but based on the service provider

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Can digital signature certificates be used in wireless networks?

 

Yes, digital signature certificates can be employed in wireless networks.

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WHY DO I NEED A DIGITAL SIGNATURE?

 

A Digital Signature Certificate has almost the same importance in the digital world as your Passport or PAN card does in the physical world. Therefore, all information displayed on your Digital Signature Certificate needs to be verified before the certificate can be issued.

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What are the documents I need to get a digital signature Certificate?

 

The following documents are required for all classes 2 and 3 and Server Certificates For an individual

The following documents are required for all classes 2 and 3 and Server Certificates For an individual
 

• Attested copy of any one of the following as identity proof (attestation may be by any Gazetted Officer/Bank Manager)
   

  • Passport

  • Driving License

  • PAN card

  • Post Office ID Card

  • Bank Account Passbook containing the Photograph and signed by an individual with attestation by the concerned Bank official

  • Any Government issued photo ID Card bearing the signature of the individual

  • Photo ID Card issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of Centre/State Government

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• Attested copy of any one of the following as Address Proof (attestation may be by any Gazetted Officer/Bank Manager)
   

  • Telephone Bill

  • Electricity Bill

  • Water Bill

  • Gas Connection

  • Bank Statements signed by the Bank

  • Service Tax /VAT/Sales Tax registration certificate

  • Property Tax/Corporation/Municipal corporation receipt

  • Driving Licence

  • Voter ID Card

  • Passport

  • Certificate of Registration for owned Vehicle

For an Organization
 

• Attested copy of any one of the following as Identity Proof (attestation may be by any Gazetted Officer/Bank Manager)

  • Passport

  • Driving License

  • PAN card

  • Post Office ID Card

  • Bank Account Passbook containing the Photograph and signed by an individual with attestation by the concerned Bank official

  • Any Government issued photo ID Card bearing the signature of the individual

  • Photo ID Card issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of Centre/State Government

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• True copy of any one(from the Company Secretary/Director/Partner of the organization)

  • Certificate of Incorporation

  • Memorandum of Association/Articles of Association

  • Partnership Deed

  • Post Office ID Card

  • Valid Business License

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• True copy of any one (attested by Company Secretary/Director/Partner of the organization)

  • Annual Report

  • Latest Income Tax Return

  • Latest Bank Details of the organization from the Bank

  • Statement of Income issued by Chartered Accountant

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• Authorization letter in favor of the certificate applicant from the organization

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• Domain Name registration proof from the registrar of Domains (if applying for Server Certificate)