CISRES. Interoperable system based on certified components for remote electronic signature creation services

The purpose of the project is to create a new remote electronic signature service, which integrates using open standards with applications that want to create electronic signatures.

What are the objectives of CISRES?

1. Developing a software module to implement the CSC standard for interfacing with third-party applications.

2. Developing a software module that allows integration with HSM (Hardware Security Module) and SAM (Secure Access Module) to authorize signature creation.

3. Integration of the two modules with the remote signature application and development of the new remote electronic signature service.

4. Development of a component to be installed on the systems of those who consume remote electronic signature services.

5. Integration with solid client applications of CERTSIGN that are used to create electronic signatures – clickSIGN.

Why is CIRES needed?

The digital transformation of the workflow involves the use of many applications for document editing, document flow, collaborative work, etc.. After the documents are electronically edited, in order to conclude a transaction, for example the signing of a contract, the documents are printed in several copies and hand signed. This has a major impact in terms of cost and time.

We meet this situation because the above-mentioned applications do not have electronic signature creation and certificate issuing functionalities. certSIGN provides the issue of certificates and remote signature and, by carrying out the project, will ensure the implementation of these functionalities in third-party applications.

The obvious advantage in this scenario is that the respective solutions already have a customer base and by using the proposed service will also provide recognition on the EU market of the certificate-based signatures issued under eIDAS regulation.

Description of project phases. Phase Objectives. Activities required to achieve these objectives.

Phase 1 – Research on remote electronic signature services

Phase objectives

Carrying out an analysis on the existing technological progress in the area of remote electronic signature services.
Conducting an analysis for determining the possibility of integrating the remote electronic signature service with third-party applications that do not native creation of electronic signatures.
Dissemination of intermediate project results

Description of activities required to achieve the objectives

Study on the state of technological development of remote electronic signature services.
Study on the possibilities of integrating the remote electronic signature service with third-party applications that do not allow native electronic signature creation.
Creation of the project website/page and dissemination of information about the project through media channels.

Phase 1 deliverables

Study on the state of technological development of remote electronic signature services.
Study on the possibilities of integrating the remote electronic signature service with third party applications that allow the native creation of electronic signature (delivered in the 3rd month).
Dissemination – project website.
Dissemination of project information on media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook).

General Architecture

The solution proposed for development will contain the following software components:

Module for exposing the signing interface to third party applications according to the CSC standard
Module for interaction with the signature activation module
Remote signing service
User identification and authorization service
Component for signature application on documents

In developing the CISRES service, interfaces will be created for the services currently in production in CERTSIGN, namely: the service of issuing qualified digital certificates for electronic signatures and seals and the time stamping service, in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation/2014.

Project no: PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0655

Financing Contract Number: 109PTE/2022

Project coordinator: CERTSIGN SA

Project manager: Cristian Lupașcu

Financed by UEFISCDI – Programme 2 – Increasing the competitiveness of the Romanian market through research development and innovation (PN III), Subprogramme 2.1 – Competitiveness through research, development and innovation; Project value: RON 1,903,994.00 (budget: RON 1,192,034.00 / co-financing: RON 711,960.00 lei).