Digital signature is a new step in the identification and confirmation of documents. What is she? What is the principle of work? EDS - is it difficult or not? Only the younger generation will be able to master it, or will it be possible for pensioners to deal with it?
general information
First, let's deal with terminology. What is an EDS? This is a special file that is used to confirm the eligibility of documents by certain individuals. It should be noted that there are two types of digital signatures - non / qualified. In the first case, you can get an EDS at home. To do this, it is enough to use special cryptographic programs. You can use the home sewing props to confirm the authenticity of documents and messages with friends or within a small enterprise.
Whereas qualified digital signatures are files that are created by various organizations that have the necessary license for this. Their most important feature is the availability of legal force. So, for them there is a legislative framework that allows the use of these digital signatures in government and commercial structures. In addition, thanks to them, you can remotely use public services. EDS is the key to the absence of queues, the quick and efficient receipt of answers and the state with a human face.
Let us say a word about certificates
What are they? EDS certificate is a document that is issued to the owner by a certification center, which confirms the authenticity of a person. When a signature key is generated, the data about the person or legal entity is saved. In essence, the EDS certificate is something like an electronic passport.
The exchange of electronic documents with their help can be carried out only if the signature is valid. How long is it issued? As a rule, it is created for a year or two. After the expiration of the certificate can be renewed. It should be noted that the file with any change in the details of the owner of the key such as a change of name, head of the organization and other things should be revoked and a new one should be drawn up.
Clearance and Renewal
To get an EDS, you need to fill out a special form, which indicates the mailing address and a lot of other information. It should be noted that the certificate can contain almost any information. But due to the limitation of action in a year or two, they have to be constantly updated. Why?
The fact is that the information contained in the certificate has a certain useful period of relevance. So, the more data entered in the file, the sooner it becomes invalid. Therefore, such a limitation of the validity period was introduced.
At the same time, you need to know that all the information that is in the signature certificate becomes publicly available. Therefore, it is recommended to include as little data as possible. Obtaining a digital signature also requires a medium where the signature will be stored. As a rule, flash drives are used in this role. If you need to renew the digital signature, you should contact the appropriate institution.
Who can give an EDS?
Electronic documents can also be signed with your own homework. But for them to have legal force, you should contact the institutions with the appropriate accreditation. The most popular is the use of tax services. So, in the Russian Federation most often they apply to the Federal Tax Service for processing electronic signatures. This is due to both general recognition, widespread use, and the fact that they provide signatures for free.
When applying to other structures, even state ones, you will have to pay several hundred or even thousands of rubles. And given the fact that obtaining an EDS will be repeated every year or two, it is not surprising that many make their choice in favor of the Federal Tax Service. By the way, if you want to withdraw your digital signature, then you need to contact the organization that issued it with the appropriate statement. When can this be needed? Here is a short list of the most popular reasons:
- The details of the organization have changed.
- The authorized person (owner of the signature) changed his status: resigned, went on promotion, was transferred to another position.
- The media where the key was stored was broken and can no longer be operated.
- The signature has been compromised.
What are the keys?
So, we already know that EDS is good. But how is the file authenticated? For this purpose, two keys are formed (certain sequences of characters). So there are:
- Private (private, secret) key. This is a unique symbol sequence that takes part in the formation of the signature. It is available only to its owner and is known exclusively to him.
- Public key A cryptographic tool that is available to anyone. Used for digital signature authentication.
How to digitally sign a document?
And now to the main thing. How to sign a digital signature with the necessary document? For this, a special program is needed that will flash the required file, introducing an electronic digital signature into it. If the document is at least somehow changed, then the digital signature will be erased.
As an example, let's take a look at the CryptoPro line of cryptographic programs. It can be used both to create and to sign a digital signature. Thanks to this, the development, production, distribution and maintenance of files protected by cryptography is carried out.
Where to store the digital signature?
For this purpose, you can use (with increasing reliability) a computer hard drive, DVD, a regular flash drive or a token. But in such cases, a situation may arise when someone else can get access to the digital signature and use it to the detriment.
The most common is the use of flash drives. Due to its small size, you can safely carry it with you, and use does not take much time. A more secure but less popular storage method is a token. This is the name of a miniature device that has a set of hardware and software that ensures that information does not fall into the wrong hands.
Also, the token can be used to obtain secure remote access to data and protect against prying eyes of electronic correspondence. Outwardly, it resembles an ordinary flash drive. Its feature is the presence of protected memory, so that an outsider will not be able to read information from the token. This device can solve a wide range of security problems in the areas of authentication and cryptography.
Finally
Now, when working with documents, people often use a paper form, which requires our signature, made by pen. But with the increasing use of electronic files, the need for EDS will increase. Over time, it will be difficult to imagine the activities and activities of a person without this tool.
It is likely that EDS will eventually turn into a full-fledged electronic passport, the importance of which can hardly be overestimated. But in this case, there will be acute questions about data security. We should not forget that the most vulnerable factor now in any technical system is a person. In order for EDS not to fall into the hands of attackers that use it to the detriment, it is necessary to constantly increase your awareness and qualifications in the use of technological products.