The RTL India Ltd. is an Online retailing company selling electronic mercantile, glocery, food and other items. The company is doing well across metro cities and wishes to expand its coverage into urban areas with IT net

What digital signature ensures: A digital signature is like an 'electronic' fingerprint of a traditional paper based signature. This coded message is unique to the person who signs it and the document on which it is impacted. It ensures the authenticity of the signatory and thus any changes made thereafter is invalid - thus protecting against forgery and tempering. Thus, it reduces the risk of duplication or alteration of the document ensuring that signatures are verified, authentic and legitimate. Signatories are provided with PINs, password and codes that can authenticate and verify their identity and approve their signatures. How an IT Professional becomes a certifying authority: As per Section 2(1)(g) of Information Technology Act, 2000, "Certifying Authority" means a person who has been granted a license to issue a Digital Signature Certificate under section 24; Anyone can make an application to the controller of certifying authorities for issuance of electronic signature. Any person having a license to issue Electronic Signature certificates is a Certifying authority. To become a Certifying authority, one can make an application to the controller of certifying authorities for a license, provided he fulfils basic eligibility requirements as laid down by Central Government - which includes qualifications, experience (expertise) financial resources and manpower plus other infrastructural facilities as necessary. The license granted is valid for 5 years and not transferable according to the terms and conditions of Information Technology Act, 2000.