tidsstämplatoken

A tidsstämplatoken, or timestamp token in English, is a cryptographic concept used to verify the existence of a digital document or message at a specific point in time. It essentially binds a digital signature to a timestamp, proving that the data existed in its current form before or at the time indicated by the timestamp.

The process typically involves a trusted timestamping authority (TSA). First, a hash of the document or message is generated. This hash is a unique digital fingerprint. This hash is then sent to the TSA along with the current time. The TSA then cryptographically signs both the hash and the timestamp, creating the timestamp token. This token is returned to the user.

To verify the token, one would again hash the original document. Then, using the TSA's public key, one would verify the signature on the timestamp token. If the signature is valid and the timestamp within the token is acceptable, it confirms that the document existed at that specific time. This is crucial for legal documents, intellectual property protection, and audit trails where proof of creation or modification time is essential. It prevents claims of data being created or altered after a certain point.