Mobile signature services have revolutionized the way we sign documents digitally. They offer a secure and convenient way to sign documents, contracts, and agreements on-the-go.
With mobile signature services, you can sign documents using your smartphone or tablet, making it easier to conduct business and personal transactions remotely. This is particularly useful for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers who need to sign contracts and agreements quickly.
Mobile signature services are also highly secure, using advanced encryption and authentication methods to protect sensitive information. For example, some services use a PIN or password to verify your identity before allowing you to sign a document.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the ins and outs of mobile signature services, including their benefits, features, and best practices.
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What is Mobile Signature Service
Mobile signature service is a facility that coordinates and manages the mobile signature process.
The mobile signature process is defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) as a universal method for using a mobile device to confirm the intention of a citizen to proceed with a transaction.
Mobile devices can be turned into personal trusted devices by digitally signing transactions on them.
The ETSI mobile commerce standards, which include ETSI 102 203, 102 204, 102 206, and 102 207, laid the foundation for the mobile signature services industry in the early 2000s.
This industry began to take shape with the release of these standards, which provided a framework for mobile signature and mobile signature service.
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Key Components
The key components of a Mobile Signature Service are quite straightforward.
The service relies on a mobile app that allows users to create and manage their digital signatures. This app is typically available for both iOS and Android devices.
A secure key store is a critical component, as it stores the user's private key and certificate. This ensures that the user's signature remains secure and tamper-proof.
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Working Principle
The working principle of a Mobile User accessing a service that requires strong authentication or digital signatures is quite straightforward. The Application Provider sends a signature request to a Mobile Security Service Provider (MSSP).
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The MSSP then delivers the request to the Mobile User's phone, where the User authenticates or signs with their Mobile ID using a PKI Client. This is a crucial step that ensures the user's identity is verified.
The PKI Client App, specifically Alauda PBY, is currently the only one on the market whose source code is available for licensing. This unique feature enables completely adaptable integration and auditing.
The signed request is then sent back to the Application Provider through the same channels, completing the authentication process.
Smart Card Issuer
The Smart Card Issuer plays a crucial role in the process. They are typically a mobile network operator who issues the mobile user with a smart card.
This smart card is capable of completing signature operations and on-board key generation. It's like having a super-powered debit card for your phone!
The issuer associates itself with a Mobile Security Service Provider (MSSP). This partnership is essential for the smooth functioning of the smart card.
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Certificate Authority
A Certificate Authority is a third-party service that issues digital certificates to a mobile user's public key.
These digital certificates verify the identity of the user, which is essential for secure online transactions.
The Certificate Authority is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the digital certificates it issues.
By doing so, it helps prevent identity theft and ensures that online transactions are conducted safely.
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Multiple WPKI Clients
The Unified Signature solution provides multiple WPKI clients, including a smartphone app, mobile SIM card, eSIM, and CSC connecting API for desktop clients. This variety of clients ensures that users can access the solution from different devices and platforms.
The solution uses the Kiuru Mobile Signature Service Provider (MSSP) platform to establish a secure channel between Alauda Wireless PKI Clients. This platform is essential for delivering strong electronic identities to end users.
A tamper-resistant SIM card or eSIM in the phone is used to deliver these electronic identities. This secure method ensures that user identities are protected.
The Alauda PBY app acts as a Qualified Signature Creation Device (QSCD) for smartphones. This means that the app is qualified to create digital signatures, which is an essential feature for secure electronic transactions.
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Establishing Identity
Establishing identity is a crucial step in the Mobile Signature Service process. To do this, the RA confirms a Mobile User's identity and binds it to a key pair as per public key infrastructure.
The keys can be generated server-side or on the User's SIM card with On-Board Key Generation. This is a secure way to create the key pair, and it's used to protect the user's identity.
The SIM card generates the key pair and sends the public key to the MSSP to be bound by the RA and certified by the CA. This ensures the key pair is secure and trustworthy.
The Mobile User is then required to assign a signing PIN on the private key, which begins its existence on and never leaves the SIM card. This PIN is a crucial part of the signing process and ensures only the Mobile User can complete a signature transaction.
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Identity Management
Identity Management is a crucial aspect of a Mobile Signature Service. It involves confirming a user's identity and binding it to a key pair.
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The RA (Registration Authority) plays a key role in this process, confirming the user's identity and binding it to the key pair. This is done as per public key infrastructure.
A user can generate keys either server-side or on their SIM card with On-Board Key Generation. With OBKG, the SIM card takes control of key generation.
The public key is sent to the MSSP (Mobile Signature Service Provider) to be bound by the RA and certified by the CA (Certification Authority). This process ensures the key's authenticity.
The private key remains on the SIM card and is assigned a signing PIN by the user. This PIN serves as a security measure to protect the key from unauthorized use.
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Implementation Options
Mobile Signature Service offers various implementation options to suit different business needs.
You can implement Mobile Signature Service through APIs, which provide a flexible and customizable way to integrate the service into your existing systems.
The service supports both synchronous and asynchronous API calls, allowing you to choose the approach that best fits your application's requirements.
API keys can be used to authenticate and authorize API requests, ensuring secure and controlled access to the service.
Mobile Signature Service also offers a software development kit (SDK) for mobile apps, making it easy to integrate the service into your mobile applications.
The SDK provides a set of pre-built functions and tools that simplify the integration process, saving you time and effort.
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Security and Standards
Mobile Signature Service is built on standards, using the Kiuru MSSP platform, which is a complete platform for providing a cost-efficient, managed digital identification and signature service for customers.
This platform utilizes Kiuru MSSP v 6.0, Alauda PBY 2.0, and Alauda P38 2.0, as well as eIDAS compliant Kiuru SAM, to deliver a standard interface to connect applications and online portals of all kinds to the Mobile ID service.
The mobile phone signature is becoming the standard in the modern business world, offering the possibility of signing documents securely and efficiently on a mobile phone.
This technology combines mobility with the highest security standards, making everyday work considerably easier for companies.
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Legality and Adoption
The mobile signature service has gained popularity in the business world, but some managers are concerned about its legality.
Digital signatures on mobile phones are legally secure if done with a special e-signature application that offers functions for authentication, encryption, and storage of signatures.
The eIDAS Regulation sets the necessary legal framework for electronic signatures in the EU, ensuring they are legally recognized within the EU.
This regulation defines three signature levels: simple electronic signature, advanced electronic signature, and qualified electronic signature.
A simple electronic signature only fulfils the legal text form, but not the written form, while an advanced electronic signature provides better protection against forgery and can be used in most business applications.
A qualified electronic signature is required for critical documents that require the written form and is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature or written form.
Companies should use e-signature software that supports the creation of the required signature level to ensure their digital signatures are legally binding.
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Here's a summary of the three signature levels defined by the eIDAS Regulation:
The mobile phone signature is becoming the standard in modern business, offering the possibility of signing documents securely and efficiently on a mobile phone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does a mobile signature work?
A mobile signature is created by a security module when a request is made, using a secret code known only to the user, typically in the form of a PIN. This process verifies the user's identity and ensures secure access to the device.
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