Digital signature software must have the function of checking validity before execution.

An important requirement for digital signature software is to have the function of checking the validity of the digital signature certificate before allowing the user to perform digital signature.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) issued Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BKHCN dated August 15, 2025, setting out modern technical regulations for digital signature software, digital signature verification software and the Public Digital Signature Certification Service Connection Portal.

Specifically, the Ministry of Science and Technology requires digital signature software to have the function of checking the validity of digital signature certificates before allowing users to sign. The software must also support timestamping when necessary and ensure the integrity of data messages after signing.

Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BKHCN is an important legal milestone, contributing to enhancing digital trust, protecting e-transactions, and promoting the development of Vietnam's digital economy . (Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology)

Meanwhile, digital signature verification software must be able to verify digital signatures according to a "trusted path", ensuring that the signer's digital certificate is linked to the original digital signature certificate of the National Electronic Authentication Center (NEAC) or is on the foreign trusted list recognized by Vietnam.

In particular, the digital signature verification software must display a valid or invalid verification result notification in Vietnamese, along with detailed information about the signer, time of signing, and data integrity.

Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BKHCN also requires the application of new security standards, including a minimum key length requirement of 2048 bits for the RSA algorithm and 256 bits for ECDSA, and recommends the application of digital signature standards for PDF (PAdES), XML (XAdES) and CMS (CAdES) according to European standards.

In addition, the Ministry of Science and Technology also introduced the Public Digital Signature Certification Service Connection Portal (abbreviated as eSign Portal) built and developed by the Ministry. This is a centralized connection portal, serving the connection of services of all organizations providing public digital signature certification services (CA) with information systems serving electronic transactions (such as Public Service Portal, banking systems, tax, customs, etc.).

Organizations providing public digital signature certification services and information systems serving electronic transactions using digital signatures connect to the eSign Portal to perform digital signatures. Connecting to a centralized system will help simplify the integration process for application development units (only need to connect to one focal point instead of connecting to each individual CA), while ensuring synchronization, safety and compatibility nationwide. The National Electronic Authentication Center (NEAC) is the focal point to support and guide the connection to the eSign Portal.

The National Electronic Authentication Center (NEAC) plays a core role in organizing the deployment of digital signature software, digital signature verification and connecting public digital signature authentication services.

In the past time, NEAC has been compiling detailed guidance documents and a system of questions for organizations and individuals developing software, organizations providing digital signature certification services (CAs) and information system owners to properly implement the technical contents of the Circular. At the same time, the Center has also set up online channels to answer questions about procedures and standards for timely resolution.

This Circular is based on the Law on Electronic Transactions 2023 and Decree 23/2025/ND-CP, creating a unified, safe and modern technical legal corridor for electronic transaction activities in Vietnam.

Minh Hoan

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/phan-mem-chu-ky-so-phai-co-chuc-nang-kiem-tra-hieu-luc-truoc-khi-thuc-hien-ar960619.html