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Validity of e-signatures strengthened

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist
Johannesburg, 21 Jun 2007

The South African Accreditation Authority (SAAA) has released accreditation regulations that set the criteria, standards and processes to be followed by authentication and certification service providers to gain accreditation for their products and services.

The regulations were published on 20 June in Government Gazette number 29995.

Once an authentication product is accredited, the status of the electronic signature it supports changes to that of advanced electronic signature. An advanced signature is deemed valid unless the disputing party can prove to the contrary.

The authentication process paves the way to ensuring electronic communications take place confidentially, while at the same time certifying authenticity, non-repudiation and that the integrity of the communication remains in tact.

Invitation to apply

Following the publication of regulations, the SAAA invites authentication and certification service providers to apply for accreditation of their products and services.

Under the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act, the Department of Communications had to establish the SAAA, which is responsible for the accreditation of authentication and certification products and services.

This will allow them to change the status of their electronic signature to that of advanced electronic signature, which will become the preferred form of electronic signature in line with the ECT Act.

"Advanced electronic signatures will also play a significant role in e-government," says Department of Communications spokesman Albi Modise.

"Where a law requires a signature, only an advanced electronic signature can be used in the electronic environment to satisfy that requirement," he says.

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