Electronic signatures provide persuasive advantages for transactions over the internet. Public authorities, financial institutions, corporate enterprises as well as citizens can both increase the security of their electronic business communications and simplify them significantly by using electronic signatures.

Time-consuming visits to the public authorities will be a thing of the past soon.

Banks' and public authorities' activity

In April 2003, a signature alliance was announced by the German government and representatives of the economy. This alliance has the aim to support both the issuance of interoperable signature cards and the spread of signature compatible applications. It offers the opportunity to develop comprehensive solutions, as long as all interested companies and public authorities work in a coordinated process and take active part in finding the solution.

Number of signature applications is increasing

Today electronic signatures are already used for a couple of applications. In the next months and years their number will be increasing enormously. The first projects were realised in the context of the initiative "BundOnline2005" (ELSTER - the electronic tax declaration, e-Vergabe, etc.). Until 2005, nearly 400 government services are expected to be available online.

Beside the activities of the government resp. its departments also the banks, who are playing the role of trusted 3rd parties by nature, are dealing with the transformation of bank services using electronic signatures. Deutsche Bank 24, for example, enables its internet banking to use the so-called WebSign 24-card. HypoVereinsbank has announced to issue signature cards in the context of a productive pilot system.

The electronic signature for your business application

In case you like to offer your business application also online in future or establish a new electronic service, you normally need an identification method in order to identify your customer or to release transactions. Not for every application an electronic signature is recommended. If there is no need for legally binding signatures there are often more cost-efficient alternatives. Prove in advance which method suits best for your application and how you can offer your services to your customers electronically.

The electronic signature for your government application

In case you are working for a public authority and like to offer your service electronically, you should realise the same security level as for the conventional application. Thereby also the legal framework has to be considered. An overview about the mechanisms which fit for egovernment processes can be found here.