Question of the day
What is the new period of validity of the electronic signature?
At the press conference on Tuesday 14 December 2021, Information Technology and Cybersecurity Service (STISC), announced the extension of the period of validity of the public key certificate, for users of electronic signature, from two to five years. In addition, the authorities also mentioned the importance of improving the digital infrastructure for e-signature, including the importance of improving e-services for citizens.
In the context of the extension of the period of validity of the electronic signature, which is issued on the USB token of ITSSC, the representatives of the authorities gave assurance that by extending the period of validity, we develop the service, offer comfort to users and facilitate the benefit of remote/on-line qualitative electronic public services. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova is in line with European countries’ recommendations and standards. This also simplifies access to electronic services and overcome barriers to interaction between the citizen and the state. The action extending the term of validity is intended to reduce the expenditure on the use of electronic signature for end-users of the service, but also to increase the widespread use and deployment of electronic services in the Republic of Moldova. The cost of procuring the public key for up to five years will be Lei 650. Those with an electronic signature valid for up to two years will be able to use them until they expire.
At the same time, the Information and Security Service is in the process of finalising a new draft law in this area that will transpose Regulation of the European Union 910/2014through which the possibility of providing new and useful services to citizens is to be offered. SIS also initiated the amendment of the regulatory framework that allowed the extension of the validity of electronic signatures to 5 years, actively engaging in the country’s digital transformation process.
We recall that to date electronic signature has been ensured for around 200 thousand users, from different business areas, natural and legal persons, business environment, etc., and in the context of new technologies and trends of digitalisation, state policy in this field aims to modernise and simplify access to public services.