Digitally Sign or Encrypt Emails and Documents

This section explains how to digitally sign or encrypt emails and documents using a digital certificate stored on your HID Crescendo Key Series.

  • Encrypting an email message guarantees that only the intended recipient can open and read the message and its attachments.
  • Adding your digital signature to an email authenticates you as the sender and verifies the integrity of the message.
  • Adding your digital signature to a document protects the content and authenticates you as the owner.
Note: It is recommended that you plug the HID Crescendo Key Series into a USB port and wait for the ready (steady Green light) or idle (flashing Green light) mode before registration/authentication.

Encrypt an Email

  1. Plug the HID Crescendo Key into a USB port and wait for a steady or flashing Green light.
  2. Compose your email message.
  3. In the security menu of your email application, select the encryption option.
  4. When prompted, enter the PIN protecting the certificate.
  5. Send your encrypted email.

Sign an Email

  1. Plug the HID Crescendo Key into a USB port and wait for a steady or flashing Green light.
  2. Compose your email message.
  3. In the security menu of your email application, select the digital signature option.
  4. When prompted, enter the PIN protecting the certificate.
  5. Send your signed email.

Protect a Document

  1. Plug the HID Crescendo Key into a USB port and wait for a steady or flashing Green light.
  2. Create your document.
  3. In the protection options of your document editor, select to either add your digital signature or encrypt the document.
  4. When prompted, enter the PIN protecting the certificate.