As per the provisions of The Information Technology Act, 2000, Digital Signatures are used on electronic documents, aimed at ensuring security and authenticity of the documents. A digital signature certificate (DSC) authenticates the identity of individuals and businesses holding the certificate and is issued by a certifying authority. The Certifying Authority issues DSCs that fall into the following three categories namely Class-1 certificate, Class-2 certificate & Class-3 certificate.
Nowadays, physical signatures, also known as wet signature, have been replaced by digital signatures which assure advantages and convenience to the user. A DSC is a secure digital key used for authenticating and certifying the identity of an individual or an entity. It contains important information such as the user’s name, email address, pin code, country, date of issuance of certificate and the name of the certifying authority.
With digital signature certificates, individual & entities can sign confidential documents such as employment contracts, legal documents, lease agreements, etc. in a secure manner without any worry of forgery. In addition, DSCs also offer many unique advantages to the user. Read on to know more about them.
Security & authenticity of documents
In today’s digital age when there are risks of attacks from hackers or phishing emails to steal sensitive data, electronic signatures prove to be effective in safeguarding the signer’s identity and building the trust level of the receiver. A digital signature certificate reduces the risk of duplication & alteration of the document itself. Users receive PINs, password and codes, to prove their identity and approve their signatures. The time stamping which mentions the date & time of the signature gives a track of the document thereby reducing the risk of fraud.
Data integrity
All documents which are signed digitally cannot be edited or altered in any way after signing. This ensures the safety and security of the data. Government authorities usually request for these certificates for cross-checking and validating business transactions. Moreover, factors like global acceptance and legal compliance make digital signature certificate quite popular. Many countries have begun to accept electronic signatures on legally binding documents as the security protocols by vendors are in compliance with global standards in the field. In fact, documents that are digitally signed are acceptable in legal courts as an evidence or proof.
Digital advantages
The paperless mode of signing documents make DSCs environment friendly. Digital signature certificates help in saving storage space. With electronic documentation, physical files are done away making way for more storage space. Instead of physically signing hard copies of documents and mailing their scanned copies, digitally signed PDF files can be sent. This helps in saving the valuable time and money for businesses when it comes to signing business deals. Moreover, multiple documents can be signed in just a few mouse clicks. The user of digital signature certificate need not be physically present to conduct or authorise a business.
Enhanced customer experience
Digital signatures ensure comfort of signing vital documents irrespective of where the customer is located. They facilitate the way businesses are conducted and simplify the processes. There is no need for customers to physically visit a bank or an office, and this is particularly beneficial for those located in remote areas. Digital signatures are issued for a period of 1 or 2 years. After the validity of digital signatures has expired, they are required to be renewed.
Obtain DSC from a reliable service provider
Obtaining DSC from a trusted service provider makes things easy for users. Alankit Limited, through its subsidiary company Verasys Technologies, offers DSC services. The company has attained the digital signature certificate license and is now a Certified Authority (CA) by the CCA (Control of Certifying Authority). Having over two-decade of rich industry experience, Alankit facilitates digital signature application & related procedures and issues digital signatures based on Aadhaar e-KYC. The company caters to various organizations in government and corporate sector by delivering specialized enterprise solutions. To obtain the DSC, subscribers should duly fill and submit a digital signature certificate form along with valid documents as identity proof and address proof. There is a step-by-step process to be followed for the registration of the digital signature certificate.
Not only individuals, the services are extremely beneficial for Small And Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Subscribers can avail the services by providing documents related to Aadhaar authenticated eKYC.
Know More: Digital Signature Certificate–How to get DSC and Benefits