Datu Sistēmas resource centre

This information is put on our web so you can find answers on questions about digital signature and electronic document.

1. What is Digital signature?

E-signature (Digital signature) is data created using persons private cryptographic digital key. Those data are attached to electronic document in its initial format like PDF, DOC etc. Person’s identity is confirmed by Certified Authority’s (CA) issued certificate. In Latvia this CA is LVRTC (Latvia State Radio and Television Centre, http://www.lvrtc.lv/eng/). In Latvia using digital signature person creates document with same legal liability as for document signed by hand on paper.

As an illustration of how it works imagine the transparent chest and a pair of keys to it. Using key 1 you can lock that chest and using key 2 only unlock. How to make sure that something in that box is sent by you to other person so that he is sure that one who sent that item is you? To do that first of all you need to transfer in a safe way to the recipient key 2. It has to be done in the way receiving person is sure – key 2 is provided by you. If you and recipient are not known it is possible to use trusted third party to deliver key 2 to recipient and to ensure your identity. When it’s done you can safely put something in to the chest, lock it with key 1 and deliver chest to recipient. Person receiving chest tries to open chest using key 2. If he succeeds it is both ensured that person who sent contents is you and contents received are not changed on the way to recipient. If delivery has to be done to more recipients you just need to give them key 2 and it will be working all the same.

2. What is Time stamp?

Time stamp is certified approval of the exact time when document is digitally signed. This service is provided bay CA. To add time stamp to the document Internet access is needed as this operation has to be done in real time and online. Time stamp is to be used with digital signature so the document signed is fully accepted form legal point of view.

3. What is Authentication?

CA (Certified Authority) issues authentication certificate for use as users ID in digital environment.

4. What is Digital certificate?

Digital data issued by CA. Digital certificate provides secure way to identify person in digital environment. This certificate confirms public keys owners’ identity to the third party.

5. What equipment is needed to use digital signature?

PC and smart card reader are necessary to use digital signature. For time stamping Internet access is also needed.

6. Is e-signature secure?

LVRTC is Certified Authority in Latvia. It is accredited by Data State Inspection. CA’s task is to ensure it’s trustworthiness by number of legal and technological procedures so users of digital signature are sure that infrastructure they are using is reliable and no legal issues will arise.

7. Is it possible to sign one document with more than one digital signature?

Yes there are no limitations to the number of signatures for the e-document just like for one on the paper.

8. LVRTC issues two certificates (Digital signature certificate and authentication certificate). What is the difference between them?

Digital signature is used to sign documents.

SSL connection is used to securely use LVRTC’s time stamping service. Authentication certificate is used to verify your identity when connecting to the time stamp service.

9. What is e-service?

E-service in general is remote way of delivering service on public or private sector using technology. It may be whole service or only certain steps in providing it.

10. Why to use digital signature and e-services?

Using e-services may significantly reduce time and cost of getting certain public sector services. If appropriately deployed, these services may also improve processes in public sector itself as well as increases compositeness of individuals and businesses. One can easily predict that in the information age Internet and services it can provide will become of greater significance with the time. Sooner or later e-services will be the main means of getting things done for the progressive part of Latvian society.

Useful sites:

www.e-me.lv
www.eps.gov.lv
www.eparvalde.lv
ivis.eps.gov.lv
www.litta.lv
www.laka.lv
www.elock.com

For more information on our solutions: write info@dsistemas.lv or call +371 67273912.