Cryptography is the science of Secure
digital XML e-signature information. It is most commonly associated
with systems that scramble information and then unscramble it. Security
experts currently favor the
cryptographic signature method known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
as the most secure and reliable method of signing contracts online. PKI
uses an algorithm to encrypt online documents so that they will be
accessible only to authorized parties. The parties have "keys" to read
and sign the document, thus ensuring that no one else will be able to
sign fraudulently. Since the passage of the e-signature
law in 2000, the use of PKI technology has become more widely
accepted. Many online services offer PKI encrypted Secure digital XML
e-signature systems that function much like we use PINs for our bank
cards.
Secure digital XML e-signature
Encryption provides end-to-end security for applications that require
secure exchange of structured data.
XML itself is
the most popular technology for structuring data, and therefore
XML-based encryption is the natural way to handle complex requirements
for security in data interchange applications. Here in part 1 of this
two-part series, explains how XML and security are proposed to be
integrated into the W3C's Working Draft for Secure digital XML
e-signature Encryption.Other
e-signature systems
have been developed, including a method for digitally recording a
fingerprint, and hardware that electronically records your signature. In
addition, the organization that sets Web standards for the Internet, the
Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C), developed XML-compliant guidelines for
Secure digital XML e-signature.
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