A method for signing and subsequently verifying a digital message, including the following steps implemented using at least one processor-based subsystem: selecting parameters including an integer q and a relatively smaller integer p that is coprime with q; generating random polynomial f relating to p and random polynomial g relating to q; producing a public key that includes h, where h is equal to a product that can be derived using g and the inverse of f mod q; producing a private key from which f and g can be derived; storing the private key and publishing the public key; producing a message digest by applying a hash function to the digital message; producing a digital signature using the message digest and the private key; and performing a verification procedure utilizing the digital signature and the public key to determine whether the signature is valid.