A digital certificate or a digital signature certificate(DSC) is a digital record of credentials of an individual or an organization. It verifies the ingenuity of an entity involved in an online transaction. DSCs come in handy during online transactions including e-filing of income tax return, e-tendering, online monetary transactions etc. over the internet. They are also used during exchange of confidential information through emails to ensure security and originality of the information as well as its sender.
A digital signature certificate is an electronic authenticity of one’s identity. It also offers a top notch security and privacy to user’s online transactions. Certificates can also be used to encrypt the information which will ensure that only the intended recipient can go through it. Digitally signing an information also assures the user that the information cannot be changed by a third party half way during transaction. It also verifies user’s identity as the sender of the information.
This digital certificate is issued to an individual for personal use. User may employ the certificate to prove the authenticity of his identity or of the information shared by him. It is mandatory for an individual, applying for a class 1 certificate, to have a valid email id.
This sort of digital signature is issued to individuals involved with an organization as well as for the personal use of an individual. Class 2 certificate is used to complete transactions which involves the Ministry of corporate affairs or the Registrar of companies. A person applying for a class 2 certificate needs to present a valid identity proof as well as the address proof.
Considered as the most exclusive digital certificate of all, class 3 certificate is the definitive identity authentication and security mean. It is mandatory for organizations and individuals involved in online e-tendering, e-procurement, patent filing and trademark filing process to have a valid class 3 certificate. It is essential for the person applying for this sort of certificate to register his physical presence before the certifying authority.