The new EU Regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS) will in future harmonise electronic signatures and identifications of citizens, business and other organisations and websites. The new rules will completely replace the individual signature legislation of all the EU member states by 1 July 2016. The experts from TÜViT recommend that providers of trust services should now start to prepare themselves and their products with regard to this European harmonization.
The new regulation is intended to increase security on the Internet and make it easier to perform cross-border digital transactions, such as conclusion of contracts and purchasing. In future, electronic signatures, seals and time stamps of German trust services will be accepted in all EU member states.
“The big certification service providers and traditional suppliers of qualified electronic signatures and time stamps in Germany already fulfil the necessary requirements. In fact, most of them are already certified according to the Standards of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). As from mid-2016, these will most probably form the basis for eIDAS operation“, explains Clemens Wanko from the Certification Body of TÜViT, a subsidiary of TÜV NORD GROUP. Nevertheless, all providers offering authentication services, electronic certified mail or archiving should consider how they will be affected by the new regulation and take appropriate measures. In order to establish this with certainty, it is recommended for them to crosscheck whether their services really do comply with the ETSI requirements. In case nonconformities are identified already now, they can take corrective action in sufficient time before the deadline in July 2016.
“The new regulation offers excellent opportunities for qualified trust service providers. In future, the rules will apply equally throughout Europe, and services must be recognised in all EU member states”, explains Clemens Wanko.
About TÜViT
TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH – known in short as TÜViT – with headquarters in Essen, is a leading provider of inspection and testing services for IT Security and IT Quality. TÜViT has an Assessment and Confirmation Body which is accredited by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) based on the German Digital Signature Act - SigG). We support manufacturers, operators and users of IT systems, IT products and IT infrastructures, helping to maintain corporate values based on testing and certification. Our IT Security experts focus on services such as Common Criteria assessments, cyber security, mobile security, industrial security, penetration tests, evaluation of information security management systems according to ISO/IEC 27001 and data protection audits. A further aspect is testing and certification of data centres with regard to their physical security and availability.
www.tuvit.de
About TÜV NORD GROUP
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD GROUP is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industrial Services, Mobility, IT and Training. TÜV NORD GROUP occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of natural resources and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Excellence for your business”.