A Digital Signature Certificate, or DSC, is a digital code that authenticates the identity of an individual, organization or entity conducting business online. It is issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) and carries the same legal validity as a physical signature. A DSC serves to authenticate and verify the identity of the signatory, and provide assurance to the receiver of the message that the digital signature is trustworthy. In addition, it can also be used to encrypt digital information so that the only party with access to the certificate can read it. With the rise of e-commerce and digital transactions, DSCs have become increasingly important for secure communication and authentication.