Why is it important for a digital certificate to be kept under exclusive control?

Maintaining exclusive control over a digital certificate is crucial because it safeguards against unauthorized use of the notary’s signature. In the context of notary work, digital certificates function similarly to traditional signatures; they authenticate documents and affirm the identity of the signer. If a notary’s digital certificate were to fall into the wrong hands, someone could potentially forge documents or carry out fraudulent transactions under the notary's authority, leading to significant legal and financial ramifications. Therefore, exclusive control is essential to ensure the integrity of the notarial process and protect against misuse, reinforcing the trust in the notary's official capacity.