Year of PKI

"Over the past few years we have seen the evolution of PKI. Today it is being widely used in business and is a catalyst for business going forward."

This is according to L@Wtrust Managing Director, Christi Peens, who also says: "PKI is unequalled in its strong authentication. There really has not been a technology such as PKI before and there is currently nothing else like it. We are so confident in PKI technology that we base our business on it."

PKI gives unequalled strong authentication that is unique in that it is the only technology that creates a digital signature that leaves behind persistent evidence of the transaction. With this technology recognised locally and internationally it is also a strategic choice for many businesses because of the roadmap it provides with digital signatures. In addition to this, PKI has enhanced features that can be utilised at a later stage such as the ability to encrypt information to users.

Says Peens: "PKI puts traditional trust in business systems in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the physical world. Digital certificates are supported by commercial applications because of the maturity, interoperability and international and South African standards support. The international and South African legal recognition attached to this technology has also led to wider acceptance and an additional incentive for companies to adopt."

South Africa has a national standard for PKI comprising international standards adopted by SABS as SANS 21188. Explains Maeson Maherry, Business Development Director: "The standard is referenced by the ECT Act's accreditation criteria for advanced electronic signatures which gives businesses a level of certainty as to the value of the technology. We, as L@Wtrust, comply with the principles of the standard and assist our customers to comply."

The technology is used extensively by major financial institutions for their business banking and as a result, this sector of the banking world utilising the technology has experienced no problems with identity theft.

Apart from PKI, L@Wtrust provides a wide range of security products and services for risk management and legal compliance supported by its independent third party role. This includes secure messaging solutions, SSL certificates, strong authentication solutions, digital signature solutions and training.