Case CATalyst is digital-signature ready! Introduction What are digital signatures?... 3

Transcription

1 Case CATalyst is digital-signature ready! Help insure that your transcript is only seen by your intended recipient. Restrict what other people can do with your transcript. Keep your annual cost to as low as $ Introduction... 2 What are digital signatures?... 3 How to obtain a digital signature to use with CATalyst... 4 How to digitally sign a Case CATalyst transcript... 5 How to verify your digital signature on your computer... 5 Frequently Asked Questions... 7 By Judy Wolf Product Manager Stenograph, LLC Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 1 of 8

2 Introduction to Digital Signatures Case CATalyst 1 enables you to digitally sign electronic transcripts to certify and ensure that the transcript is authentic. By first acquiring a Digital I.D. from a signature provider like VeriSign or GeoTrust reporters can routinely certify transcripts when creating a PDF file either in fullpage or condensed-print format. Your clients can view the PDF file using the free Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher to validate the certificate and proof that the document has not been changed since being signed. Example of digital signature details included with a CATalyst PDF transcript 1 Case CATalyst Version 7.02 and higher is digital-signature ready. Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 2 of 8

3 What are digital signatures? Digital signatures take the concept of traditional paper-based signing and turn it into a digital coded message or "fingerprint." This fingerprint is unique to both the document and the signer. The digital signature ensures that the signee is the originator of the message. Changes made after the document is signed are noted. There are differences between electronic and digital signatures, although these terms are often used interchangeably. Digital signatures are a result of a cryptographic operation which guarantees data integrity and non-repudiation of transactions. The digital signature cannot be copied, tampered or altered. In contrast, an electronic signature is only a representation of a person in the form of a digitized image of his or her handwritten signature. It is typically attached to an electronic document or transaction and can be copied; it is not secure; it is simply a facsimile of a signature. An example of an electronic signature; an image inserted into a certificate page An example of a digitally signed transcript viewed in Adobe Acrobat Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 3 of 8

4 How to obtain a digital signature to use with Case CATalyst 1. Visit the site of a digital signature provider such as VeriSign, GeoTrust or others. (See links below.) You will need access to the Internet and to a telephone at the time of purchase. 2. Purchase, download and install a Digital ID as directed by your certificate vendor. Certificates can be purchased for as little as $19.95 and are good for a year. 3. Go directly into Case CATalyst and begin digitally signing your PDF files through the print to Stenograph PDF Printer function. It is one easy step. 4. Send the digitally certified document to your client via . The recipient, using the free Adobe Reader 2, is able to validate certified documents. They simply click on the Signatures tab on the transcript to see the certification status indicating that the document is certified. Signature properties, such as certificate details, your contact information and validation method, can also be viewed by the recipient. It s that easy. All you need is CATalyst and a Digital ID and you re set! VeriSign link for digital signature for secure [Copy this link to Internet Explorer] GeoTrust link for My Credential personal digital I.D. [Copy this link to Internet Explorer] Adobe Reader free down load: 2 The current version of Adobe Reader is 8. Version 6 and higher can read digital signatures. Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 4 of 8

5 How to digitally sign a Case CATalyst transcript 1) Select a transcript and choose Print to Stenograph PDF Printer. 2) Select the Sign/Encrypt PDF check box. 3) Enter PDF Properties such as the reason for signing 4) Check Allow Printing and/or Allow Copying as your preference. 5) Select Print. Print to Stenograph PDF Printer with Digital Signature Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 5 of 8

6 How to verify your digital signature on your computer Once you have licensed your digital signature, you may want to verify its existence on your computer. This is how to verify it. 1) From Internet Explorer, select Tools, Internet Options. 2) Select the Content tab and then select the Certificates button. Internet Options to verify digital signature Certificates List Certificate Details Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 6 of 8

7 Frequently Asked Questions regarding Digital Signatures Q: Is there a fee every time I sign a Digital ID to a transcript? A: The VeriSign Digital ID and GeoTrust My Credential give you unlimited usage for a year. You can also buy one-time usage digital I.D. s from GeoTrust. Q: When I get a Digital I.D. from VeriSign or others, where does it go on my computer? A: It gets saved on the hard disk of your computer. You don t have to worry about where it is because CATalyst knows how to find it. However, if you want to verify its existence, follow the instructions in this document. Q: Can a Digital ID be used by more than one person? Can I share it with my coworker, for example? A: The Digital ID is personal and can be used only by you. If you were to use it on your coworker s transcripts, the signature would indicate that it is certified by you, not the coworker. You wouldn t certify their printed transcripts so you probably won t want to certify their electronic ones either. Q: What if I get a new computer and want to continue to use my Digital ID? A: There are specific procedures for moving the Digital ID from one computer to a different computer, provided by your providers user guide. Q: Can I back up my digital I.D.? A: Yes, procedures are available for backing up your I.D. on your provider s web site or user guide. Q: Does my actual signature appear on the transcript when I digitally sign it? A: No. Your signature does not appear on your certificate page. You may want to place a parenthetical statement on your signature page stating that the document was digitally signed. In CATalyst you can insert an image of your signature on the certificate page if you wish but that is not an official signature. [To create a image of your signature, sign a blank piece of paper, scan it into your computer and then insert it into your certificate page include file.] Q: Can I use the same digital signature that I use with CATalyst with other things such as ? A: Yes. Once you have a digital signature you can use it with any type of document. Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 7 of 8

8 Special Instructions for printing this document: In order to print the entire document, including graphic images, you might need to set your Print Options appropriately. Select Print, then select Options, then check the Drawing objects check box. Case CATalyst and Digital Signatures 1 AUG 2008 Page 8 of 8