Documents are prepared and transmitted electronically everyday as part of a company's normal way of doing business. In order to prevent manipulation, contracts, offers, and other documents should be signed electronically. By using an electronic signature, it is possible to establish that the electronic document is authentic and that the sender really is the party that issued it. The scope of use for digital certificates grows daily and ensures the needed legal security in comparison with traditional signed paper media.

The Swiss Electronic Signature Act (ZertES) defines two electronic signatures. An advanced electronic signature makes it possible to identify the owner and is used for authentication, encryption, and signature (advanced signature) purposes. The qualified electronic signature expands the signature certificate and fulfills the maximum process requirements for the preparation and verification of the customer’s identity. Both signatures may only be issued in Switzerland by trustworthy and recognized certificate providers.

Areas of application in business communications:

• definite identification of a communication partner
• later changes to documents or messages are recognizable
• data and e-mail encryption
• secure access to protected Internet and Intranet areas
• secure login to computers and mobile devices

Certificates for Individuals Certificates for natural persons and legal entities

Certificates for Devices Certificates for servers, equipment, and applications