The application of 3rd party certification programme in Malaysia

Third parties are called certificate authorities (CAs), who issue digital certificate to provide verification that your website does indeed represent your company.Importantly, the assessment is carried out by an independent, third party organization that is qualified and licensed to issue certification when the assessment is successfully completed.

The most famous application of 3rd party program in Malaysia is provided by MSC Trustgate.com Sdn Bhd which are incorporated in 1999, under the Digital Signature Act 1997 (DSA),a Malaysia law that sets a global precedent for the mandate of a CA.

The objective of MSC Trustgate is to secure the open network communications from both locally and across the ASEAN region. Trustgate provide digital certification services such as digital certificates, cryptographic products and software development.

The products and services of Trustgate are SSL Certificate, Managed PKI, Personal ID, MyTRUST, MyKAD ID, SSL VPN, Managed Security Services, VeriSign Certified Training and Application Development. The vision of Trustgate is to enable organizations to conduct their business securely over the internet, as much as what they have been enjoying in the physical world.

Digital certificate usually attach to an e-mail message or an embedded program in a web page that verifies that user or website is who they claim to be. The common functions of a digital certificate are user authentication, encryption and digital signatures. User authentication provides other security than using username and password. Its session management is stronger. Encryption can make the data transmission secured by using the information encrypted. The intended recipient of the data is only person to receive the message. Digital signatures are like the hand signature in the digital world. It can ensure the integrity of the data.

By using the digital certificate, the users will be able to make transaction on the internet without fear of having the personal data being stolen, information contaminated by third parties, and the transacting party denying any commercial commitment with the users. Furthermore, the digital certificates can assist the development of greater internet based activities.