Potential applications for digital signatures in the legal profession include contracts, licensing, invoicing, document archiving and general business correspondence. The transmission of electronic documents with legally binding signatures allows inefficient paper based processes reliant on a handwritten signature to be replaced. The recipient can trust in the integrity of the PDF document and the identity of the author as it is automatically validated within Adobe® Acrobat and Reader®.
Post.Trust - Compliance and Standards
In accordance with the EU Directive for Digital Signatures 1999/93/EU Post.Trust is the only PKI based Certification Authority (CA) in Ireland accredited to issue Qualified Digital Certificates.
- EU Directive for Digital Signature 1999/93/EU
- Irish eCommerce Act 2000
- Qualified Post.Trust Digital Certificates
- ISO 27001 Information Security Management System Standards
Post.Trust is accredited by Certification Europe, who is itself accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB). Electronic documents signed with a Post.Trust qualified digital certificate have the same legal weight as a hand written signature.
Adobe® Certified Document Services (CDS)
Post.Trust’s Qualified Digital Certificates combined with membership of the Adobe® CDS programme provide a unique advantage to customers who wish to dematerialise paper processes.
Post.Trust Certificates for Adobe® CDS provides a range of secure and ease of use attributes:
- Universal availability of Adobe® Reader®
- The ‘green tick’ gives immediate visual indication of document validity
- Time Stamping using universal time provides legally sustainable sequence proof for document versions
- Revocation checking ensures that the signature was valid at time of signing
- Digital certificate is provided on a secure token which is FIPS-140-2 compliant
- Trust hierarchy easily established using Adobe® Reader®
Customer Identification Process
As customers are required to register in person to receive a Qualified Digital certificate, certificate management is a critical aspect of any PKI service. Post.Trust can offer customised certificate registration processes to meet the specific needs of each customer. Post.Trust is in a unique position to leverage An Post’s nationwide presence of Post Office branches for fact-to-face registration processes.
Post.Trust can also appoint Customer Registration Agents (CRA’s) within an organisation whose duty it is to perform the identification process if required. These agents then forward copies of the proof of identity documents to Post.Trust for verification prior to issuing the digital certificates.
- Customised Certificate Management Systems
- Nationwide Branch Access for Customers Registrations
Advantages
The advantages of using signed electronic documents include:
Provides evidence basis for:
- Authenticity
- Non-Repudiation
- Time Stamping
- Integrity
- Document Security
Reductions in cost associated with:
- Pre-Printed forms
- Printing – printers, operators, inks, toners, paper
- Storage & Archiving – Space, filing, retrieving
- Locating originals and photocopying for queries
- Transmission – Envelopes, Handling, Mailing
Change efficiency:
- Simpler process for new forms and documents
- No wastage due to obsolescence of older forms
- No reliance on third party for pre-printing of forms
Customer Service Improvements:
- Faster communication of electronic documents
- Easier management of document changes
- Time Stamping makes version control easier to establish
- Personalisation of electronic communication is simpler and more cost effective than the paper equivalent
These advantages can provide a competitive edge in today’s time critical and cost sensitive business environment. The professionalism associated with providing a modern, secure and easy to use non-proprietary document exchange can not only secure existing business but can provide the platform for increasing your market share.