MEDIA STATEMENT
SOUTH AFRICAN ACCREDITATION AUTHORITY INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR ACCREDITATION OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
The South African Accreditation Authority (SAAA) invites Authentication and Certification Service Providers to apply for accreditation of their products and services in order to change the status of their electronic signature to that of advanced electronic signature.
Under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECT Act), the Department of Communications had to establish the SAAA, which is responsible for the accreditation of authentication and certification products and services. The SAAA has released accreditation regulations in Government Gazette No. 29995 on 20th June 2007. The regulations set the criteria, standards and process that have to be followed by Authentication and Certification Service Providers in order to comply with the regulations.
Once an authentication product is accredited, the status of the electronic signature it supports changes to that of advanced electronic signature. This process leads the way in ensuring that electronic communications take place confidentially while at the same time ensuring authenticity, non-repudiation and that the integrity of the communication remains in tact. Advanced electronic signatures will become the preferred form of electronic signature since it is regarded in terms of the ECT Act as being a valid electronic signature and to have been applied properly, unless the contrary is proved.
The onus is therefore on a party disputing the validity of an advanced electronic signature to prove it. Advanced electronic signatures will also play a significant role in e-government. Where a law requires signature, only an advanced electronic signature can be used in the electronic environment to satisfy that requirement.
For more information please consult Alf Wiltz, the Deputy South African Accreditation Authority or the SAAA website
www.saaa.gov.za.
For MEDIA Enquiries:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
what SAAA accredited Advanced Electronic Signature did Albi Modise use to email out that Media Statement?