Trust plays a central role when it comes to security on the Internet. Electronic trust services strengthen users’ sense of security. These are companies that strengthen trust in digital processes. But what exactly do trust service providers (TSP) do? And why are they so important? In this blog article, we will look at the tasks of trust service providers and how they contribute to security on the internet.
What is a trust service provider (TSP)?
Trust service providers are companies or organizations that offer digital services to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of electronic transactions and documents. In Germany, trust service providers include Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Post, D-Trust, the Federal Chamber of Notaries and the Federal Network Agency.
What are the tasks of a trust service provider?
The digital world is full of sensitive data and information that needs to be protected. Trust service providers have an important role to play here. They ensure the integrity, confidentiality and authenticity of electronic transactions and communications. The tasks include identity management, authentication and signature creation, time stamp services as well as secure electronic delivery.
Secure management of identities
Identity management is dedicated to the secure administration of identities of individuals or organizations. Authentication and signature creation focus on the clear assignment of documents to their originators and the protection of electronic signatures. Timestamping services, meanwhile, guarantee the traceability of the times at which certain processes took place, while secure electronic delivery ensures that electronic documents can be transmitted in a legally secure manner.
eIDAS Regulation and Trust Services Act (VDG)
Trust service providers are regulated in their work by the European Union’s eIDAS Regulation (Regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market) and the Trust Services Act, which supplements the eIDAS Regulation. There are different types of trust service providers, such as:
- Certification service providers: Certification service providers issue certificates that confirm digital identities and signatures, thereby ensuring the authenticity of electronic transactions.
- Timestamp service providers: Timestamp service providers issue timestamps that ensure that electronic documents existed at a specific point in time.
- Electronic seal providers: Electronic seal providers ensure the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents.
- Trust service providers for secure electronic delivery: These providers enable the secure electronic delivery of documents, for example in the context of official procedures.
Security requirements for trust services
A whole range of security requirements must be complied with. First and foremost, they must comply with the eIDAS Regulation. But that’s not all. Because they are so important for security, the following obligations also apply to all electronic trust services:
- They must have an authorization from the competent authority that has verified compliance with security standards.
- They must ensure that their services are secure and reliable in order to guarantee the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
- They must take technical and organizational measures to protect their services from threats, including unauthorized access, theft, loss and misuse of data.
- They must report security incidents and take appropriate measures to minimize damage and prevent future incidents.
What are the advantages of electronic trust services for business?
Electronic trust services offer companies and end users alike many advantages that go far beyond mere authentication. Their work has become indispensable in today’s world. They ensure security on the Internet and guarantee the confidentiality of data and information. Here are some examples of how companies and end users benefit from trust services:
Advantages for end users
- Easy and secure use of electronic services and transactions
- Protection of privacy and confidentiality of online interactions
- Increase the security of online identities and accounts
- Time and cost savings by avoiding paper documents and manual processes
- Access to electronic services and transactions from anywhere and at any time
- Electronic signing after identification at the VDA is possible regardless of location
- Trust service providers and the electronic signature
Advantages for businesses
- Reduction of costs and effort for the administration of electronic signatures and certificates
- Ensuring legal compliance for electronic transactions
- Increase the security and trustworthiness of online transactions
- Improve customer satisfaction through smooth and secure online interactions
- Increase efficiency and productivity through automated processes and workflows
To obtain a qualified electronic signature (QES), for example to digitize your contract management, you need an electronic signature card. This is a type of hardware token that is used to create electronic signatures. The card contains an eIDAS certificate issued by a trust service provider (with an eIDAS registration number). He can do this after he has clearly established the identity of the signatory or signatories, for example using the Postident procedure. The eIDAS certificate ensures that the electronic signature is legally binding and has the same legal value as a handwritten signature. Now all you need is signature software and a card reader and you’re ready to go.
Sign documents with the digital signature in a legally secure way
Trust Services enable remote signatures without signature cards
The digital signature is also available as a remote signature through VDA. This means that the signature is not created directly on a physical medium such as a signature card, but via a remote signature service provider. This provider must also be registered with the competent authority and have a registration number. The remote signature is particularly useful for transactions that take place online or where the parties are in different locations.
Trust services provider ensure security in a digital world
Trust service providers play an important role in ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of digital transactions. With their certificates and signatures, they ensure that documents and messages can be authenticated and their authenticity confirmed. This strengthens trust in digital business processes and increases security in online commerce.