Change in governmental environments
E-governance is the new topic of politics, at least by European countries, why first global conferences are initiated recent months. Estonia is considered as the pioneer of e-governance, after the reaction to a cyber-attack on many local institutions in 2007. Since than many countries adopted certain procedures and bureaucracies to the new digital age. To stick on an example, I will analyse the Austrian situation, which announced its goals to be the most innovative e-government in the EU by 2020.
Austrian citizens can create a virtual identity and do certain things online. The so-called electronic citizens-card can be enabled on the personal e-card, which mainly is used for medical issues in Austria. Furthermore, the option to have a mobile-signature by pin-code-verification, sent to the pre-registered mobile-number is available. One example of use is the tax declaration at the ministry of finance, where among others, employees in Austria can yearly do their forms online, within minutes.
The Mobile Phone Signature allows you to provide evidence of your identity on the web. For logging in to a service or to electronically sign, you are using the Mobile Phone Signature following the same procedures as when you’re accessing your traditional e-banking solution. Everything one need is a ready-to-use mobile phone. Activation and usage of the Mobile Phone Signature are totally free of charge.
There are two alternative forms of the Citizen-Card functionality:
Mobile Phone Signature: This requires a ready-to-receive mobile phone. The Mobile Phone Signature works with all mobile phones and is free of charge.
Smart card: This requires a smart card with activated Citizen Card functionality (e.g. e-card) and a smart-card reading device.
Both alternatives can be used for the creation of legally valid signatures in online procedures. These signatures are legally equivalent to handwritten signatures. This way, the mobile phone and your activated e-card become your virtual ID, which can be used quite similar to your driving license. You have also the possibility to sign documents or invoices electronically with your Mobile Phone Signature or Citizen Card.
Screenshot: https://www.buergerkarte.at/en/, 14.05.2018
Your benefits at a Glance:
Free of charge: The usage of the Mobile Phone Signature or Citizen Card is for free.
Saving time: Quick and easy access to online public services saves time for citizens as well as for companies.
Security first: Knowing your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and holding a token (mobile phone or card) - only the correct pair of these two factors enables a successful login to an e-service or effects an electronic signature.
Data protection: Centralised access to sensitive, personal data is prohibited by efficient cryptographic methods.
Comfortable: Convenient access to various e-services from the public and private domain without the need to manage numerous different login name and password combinations.
Sources from 14th May 2018:
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