A digital certificate is able to be used for a wide range of procedures and processes within your organization. One way companies use this certificate is to replace traditional paper-based signature processes with a digital signature. Digital signatures are embedded directly into the certificate, and create a secure method for verifying authenticity, because the signature is encrypted each time it is used. Another way in which businesses use certificates is for authentication with network, online and internet resources. This kind of certificate is used with two factor authentication systems for internal networks, cloud environments, SaaS environments, and mobile access with smart phones, tablets, and VPN networks. You can also use this type of certificate in environments where you use RSA token devices or smart cards.
Creating a Digital Certificate Requires a Certificate Authority System
In order to create and generate a digital certificate, it must be processed through a certificate authority (CA) system. CA systems are designed in order to follow the current international standards, so that certificates created in the United States are able to be used in the United Kingdom, France, Spain or elsewhere. The only exception would be with the use of digital signatures. In European Union countries, in place of digital signatures, they use qualified signatures, instead. Qualified signatures must conform and comply with all EU regulations. In situations where a US-based business is conducting transactions with an EU country, they also need to use qualified signatures, in order to ensure authenticity and compliance with EU standards for digitally signed documents, forms and data.