What is the primary purpose of a digital signature?

The primary purpose of a digital signature is to provide authenticity and non-repudiation. A digital signature serves as a means to verify the identity of the signer, ensuring that the person or entity who signed the document is indeed who they claim to be. This is essential in establishing trust in electronic communications and transactions.

Additionally, non-repudiation means that once a digital signature is applied, the signer cannot later deny having signed the document. This is important in legal and financial contexts, where it is necessary to hold parties accountable for their actions.

While digital signatures are often associated with secure validation of data integrity and may help in detecting any modifications made to the document after signing, their primary roles center around proving the signer's identity and preventing them from denying their involvement with the signed document.