Abstract:

This study examines the perceptions, needs, and concerns of three key stakeholder groups—students, universities, and employers—regarding the adoption of tamper-proof digital certificates as a means to combat the pervasive issue of falsified credentials. While cryptographically protected certificates offer a secure and reliable solution, their successful implementation faces challenges arising from the inherent complexity of technological innovation and resistance to change within established systems. Using a survey-based methodology, this research gathers quantitative and qualitative insights to evaluate the attitudes, expectations, and reservations of each stakeholder group. The study specifically explores critical factors such as trust in digital technologies, usability, and security, aiming to identify potential barriers to adoption and key enablers for acceptance. The findings aim to guide the development of a secure, standardized framework that not only addresses the urgent need for fraud prevention but also aligns with the practical requirements of users. By shedding light on stakeholder perspectives, the research provides actionable insights to bridge the gap between innovative solutions and their successful integration into real-world credentialing practices.

Keywords:

Digital transformation, secure certificates.