Is Digital Signature & Certificate (DSC) helps to regulate the e-payment gateway in Nepal?
A digital signature is a government-sanctioned unique identification code, which is used to validate digital information such as e-mail messages, PDF documents by the sender or the sign holder and ensure that the letter sent is not altered.
Once the digital signature comes into use officially, it will help make all kinds of e-transactions, e-exchanges legitimate. Though the digital signature is being launched on Wednesday, it will take around three weeks for the general public to be able to acquire one for their use.
A person requires his/her digital ID, to be able to sign any document digitally. This kind of identity can be made from an authorized certifying authority (CA). Once the person is equipped with the ID, he/she can register the signature with programs likes Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Outlook and other such applications that support digital signature. The ‘Sign’ feature can be used to add the numeric name to the documents the person wants to validate. Materials produced in such manner can also be presented in the court, in case of legal proceedings.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sher Dhan Rai said, “Though the government had previously launched digital signature in 2012, it could not be executed successfully due to the absence of adequate infrastructure. Now, all the necessary framework are in place.”
Birendra Misha, Director General of the Department of IT, Government of Nepal says that the formal implementation of digital signatures will make e-transactions more comfortable as well as grant it the legal recognition and credibility it lacked before.
The OCC stated that the signatures would be implemented under the Electronic Transaction Act, 2006 and Electronic Transaction Rules, 2007. According to Mishra, implementation of digital signature will also help regulate e-payment gateways and improve the safety of such payments.
Narayan Neupane, Chief Operating Officer of Nepal Certifying Company, said, “The implementation and public awareness of digital signatures will be more crucial after this formal launch.”
“We are glad that the government has finally introduced the digital signature. It will give legitimacy to the correspondence made through the internet.” Dhakal said.
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will be launching the digital signature amidst a formal event at Sheetal Niwas.
What is it?
- A digital signature is a government-sanctioned unique identification code, which is used to validate digital information such as e-mail messages, PDF documents by the sender or the sign holder and ensure that the letter sent is not altered.
Why is it important?
- Validates the identity of the sender
- Ensures the originality of the content of the message sent.
- No refusal of documents with digital signatures.
- Easily verifiable by an independent or third party.
