DTI, CICT endorse "digital signature" proposal to PGMA

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hand in hand with the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) recently endorsed its proposal on institutionalizing digital signatures to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The proposed “Institutionalizing the Certification Scheme for Digital Signatures and Directing the Application of Digital Signature in E-Government Services,” pushes for the use of digital signatures in e-government services to address online security threats.

In time, government entities will have fully-integrated services that will completely address the needs of the transacting public – e-government services that are secure, transparent, efficient and cost-effective. This will make online transactions with government a truly pleasant and worthwhile experience.

Also envisioned is a thriving and flourishing e-commerce environment in the Philippines to further promote the widespread use of e-commerce by the public and stimulate the growth of online businesses by encouraging businesses of all shapes and sizes to venture online.

In a statement furnished to The Freeman, it said that DTI and CICT endorsement came after the two agencies conducted a series of extensive discussions with member-agencies of the Inter-Agency Committee on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

The proposal was drafted due to growing concerns over the integrity and security of online transactions that threaten the very core of e-commerce and e-government in the Philippines. 

The intent of the proposal is to require all government entities to take the lead in implementing digital signatures in their online services. This will ensure confidentiality, authenticity, integrity and non-repudiation of e-government transactions and give the transacting public the confidence and peace of mind they need in doing online transactions with government

“This is a strong manifestation that the government is highly committed in ensuring the security of electronic transactions and this will also serve as an impetus for private sector to follow,” DTI statement stated.

Once the proposed EO is approved for implementation, the DTI, which will be designated as the Accreditation/Assessment Body under the scheme, shall issue the implementing guidelines and criteria for the accreditation of the Root Certification Authority (CA), the Government CA and the private CAs. —Ehda M. Dagooc

While the National Computer Center (NCC), under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), shall be designated as the Root CA and Government CA.

The Root CA will play a critical role, as it will ensure the interoperability of systems among Accredited CAs and cross-recognition of certificates within and outside the country.

Moreover, DTI emphasized that it is expected that many government projects will be generated after the issuance of the EO, which means that more government services will become readily available and accessible online to the citizenry and the public. This will, likewise, create various business opportunities for the private sector.