Information security and electronic signature: Economical aspects review and electronic signature applications

Communication between computers which was at the beginning a defense Project, has found a worldwide application and evolved into internet with the connection of many networks. Today millions of computers unceasingly communicate with each other. The concept of data security which was necessitated by the need to secure data and documents stored electronically has suddenly found a different dimension with the attacks directed at the data flowing between communication systems. With the realization that the security of data is as important as the data itself, many different methods have been put under trial in order to project electronic data and documents. Among these methods, globally accepted public key infrastructure is today the foremost in usability and realibity. Public key infrastructure is currently being used for data security applications in Turkey as is the case for many countries. Origins of informations is as important as the security of data. A document transfered via electronic mail is worthless if its true origins can not be proved. Signature, one of most important element of hard-copy texts and documents can also be found on electronic texts today due to fast developing information technology. Esignature basically necessitated by the idea of protecting electronic texts, is the only application that can hardly satisfy needs such as identity information, time information and undeniability along with security. Rapidly developing, e-signature has found a legal base with the regulations put in force both in Turkey and the world and beings to be used in many areas both in public and private sectors. Studies provide us information concerning the legal standing of e-signature. However, its economical aspects should also be stutied. Especially the globalization of the finance sector neccessitates the signing of data being transferred by information Networks. This study includes not only the legal aspects, but also, the economical aspects and application areas of e-signature which is being considered for use in finance, e-commerce, e-goverment applications and many other areas.