How useful it is to issue digital certificates on the blockchain?

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Blockchain technology is used in several ways in varied industries for offering high-security managing distribution systems and recording valuable information. Blockchain records all transactions without any verification from third parties. An evolving issue in recent years is - counterfeiting certification. It is posing serious threats to people. Issuing paper-based certificates manually is prone to errors and time- consuming. Day by day, the number of people's data is increasing, so deploying a system for both issuing and verifying digital certificates based on blockchain technology can solve issues of forged documents.

What is the current problem with document certification?

Many organisations and businesses need original documents for verification purposes before further processing. Some valuable documents like (birth certificates) exist only once. Parties involved in verification and issuing other certificates may experience hesitancy to handle these sensitive documents and that can result in damage or even loss. Many parties are unable to protect the valuable physical pieces of paper with this process. Another big problem comes from data theft. Many people have reported it. So the question comes: how can this issue be solved? Creating digital proof or digital certificates certified or signed by respective institutions or authorised organisations can be beneficial. With blockchain-based digital certificates, you can access and verify the digital asset's authenticity without depending on any intermediary or third party. Traditional data records like paper files deteriorate over time. storing records like digital certificates on the blockchain can help in safeguarding sensitive credentials from destruction & damage. Blockchain document security methods can help users seamlessly secure their sensitive documents.

What about blockchain solutions?

Blockchain technology has brought a revolution in storing and sharing data. The mechanism of cryptography helps in keeping information fully secured. Blockchain offers a digital ledger or decentralised database of data. Centred on computer networks that approve updates before data get recorded and verified. It lessens the reliance and vulnerability of centralised data storage. Instead of handling physical pieces of documents, issuing and storing digital certificates in blockchain can be advantageous to users. You can efficiently utilise the benefits of blockchain, like - authentication, encryption and decentralisation. Every certificate consists of references of both issuer and receiver with a hash (a sign of document), that is stored in the public database. It is identical in the number of computers throughout the globe. These digital certificates with blockchain technology have vital additional advantages over any other certificates.

How does blockchain make digital certificates work?

When a digital certificate is issued, data gets digitised. A digital identity gets assigned to every certificate. All of the digital certificates are tagged as well as traceable. Original documents are stored safely in the computer networks in the blockchain which are known as nodes. In totality, blockchain makes digital certificates highly transparent and secured. It also makes it easy to unfurl any fraud because this technology can expose any forged or outdated certificates.

Are these digital certificates tamper-proof?

Yes, the digital certificates are tamper-proof not by just signing but right after the beginning of the transaction. A signing algorithm produces a signature that is encrypted through a private key. The digital signature in these certificates can never be forged without having access to the private key of the user or members. With the help of document security QR codes, users can secure their valuable credentials.

What are the potential benefits of issuing digital certificates on the blockchain?

Blockchain has evolved to be beneficial for the financial industry. This technology is the most talked about and sought-after technology used in the world. There are innumerable benefits of issuing digital certificates on the blockchain. Some of them are here: a) Require fewer resources for issuance: Issuance and maintenance of digital certificates on the blockchain require a very less number of resources. As a result, the whole process saves time, effort and human capital. b) Digital certificates are conveyable: Contrary to physical certificates, the digital ones issued on the blockchain need not be carried around every place. Digital certificates are there to exist for a lifetime. These certificates can be easily accessed on any of your devices from any part of the world. c) Ideal as Identity proof: Digital certificates based on blockchain are the best substitution for the traditional proofs of paper identification. Digital certificates are issued on a highly secured framework of blockchain which is fully secured. These verifiable certificates can be easily traced all the way back to an issuer. This method makes the procedure transparent. You can use the blockchain document security method for securing and storing your valuable documents. d) Gives overall data security: Paper certificates can also take days and months to get issued and dispatched. Paper certificates can be altered without issuing the institute's knowledge and that is risky. Digital certificates issued on the blockchain can not be altered by any person. If someone tries to tamper with it, then verification will fail. This makes data in your digital certificates fully secured as well as traceable. e) No third party requirement: Blockchain verification of digital certificates can be performed by any person having access to the network. There is no need for any third party interference for verification. Digital certificates can be verified even if any organisation that issued them no longer exists. f) For micro-credentialing: Every data remains encrypted in the digital certificates issued on the blockchain. Organisations or businesses can issue "micro-credentialing" for recognizing, career skills, learning and so on. It can help both students and organisations. g) Comes at an affordable cost: Using blockchain is not expensive. With the help of the blockchain-powered platform, you can issue digital certificates for numerous services with ease. You may need no extra software or hardware and be done with an internet connection. So in nutshell, the unique features of blockchain technology make issuing digital certificates easy and tamper-proof. Blockchain technology simplifies and facilities the entire process of issuance of digital certificates. It also helps in the easy transfer of these certificates leading to the expansion of contents and information. We hope in the next few years, more and more organisations will come forward in embracing digital certificates issuance on the blockchain. A blockchain document security system can help you to secure sensitive credentials with ease.

What are the Legal Aspects of Digital Certificates

Posted on May 31, 2024

Wondering what is digital certificate? Blockchain-based digital certificates, or verifiable credentials, are akin to traditional digital certificates but do away with the associated cons, like difficulty to verify the authenticity of the document. But why digital certificate is required? Digital certificates on blockchain are necessary because they are secure. They aim to protect sensitive information from document fraud, like forgery, and authenticate the legitimacy of the claim endorsed.

Although there are multiple benefits of digital certificates, this raises the question: how are digital certificates verified? Verifiable credentials are verified on blockchain without having to contact the issuing party. However, despite the many advantages of digital certificate blockchain, there are certain legal aspects to it that organizations should be aware of.

Legal Regulations Pertaining to Digital Certificates

When thinking of the legal regulations pertaining to digital certificates, the first thing that pops into your head might be the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Verifiable Credentials Data Model. However, you’d be incorrect in mistaking these sets of standards as a legal rule.

Let us explain. Admittedly, a digital certificate using blockchain won’t be deemed a verifiable credential until it follows the rules laid out in the data model, there won’t be any penalties or fees for flouting the standards. This is why it can’t be considered as a legal rule for digital certificates.

To ease your confusion, here are a few rules you do need to look for when issuing, managing, and storing digital certificates:

Follow the rules pertaining to certifying authorities. Since they are an essential component of a digital certificate, you must check the local rules and follow them. The rules might dictate the activities of the certifying authorities, the required security infrastructure, the process to verify or revoke certificates, and the document storage procedures. Every single point is vital, so take note of the rules and comply with them.
Another regulation you need to keep in mind, especially if you operate your business in the European Union (EU), is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Wondering how this is important and pertains to your business? Well, the GDPR has issued regulations and governs the way businesses collect, store, and manage customer data. It also has strict regulations pertaining to the security of the collected data. Violation of the guidelines can lead to hefty fines and penalties. So, follow the GDPR regulations closely if you happen to conduct business in the EU. If not, follow the local or state data protection laws pertinent to your place of business.
Misusing digital certificates or issuing them specifically will also lead to legal liabilities. Ensure your issued verifiable credentials are on the up-and-up.

Ready to issue your blockchain-based digital certificates? Sign up on ProofEasy to get started. Our patented blockchain and QR code solution is designed to eliminate data fraud and give you peace of mind. Plus, the solution is 100% user-friendly, so there’s no learning curve involved. The best part, though? Our API is customizable and can fit your existing IT infrastructure.