By the end of 2009 an updated and more secure digital signature is expected to replace the existing one in Denmark.

Five years of experience in the use of the current digital signature has shown that there is a considerable margin for improvement. The new digital signature will apply to all public and private services, including banking. For instance, the digital signature can be used in order for a citizen to pay his/her bills in the bank, change address or deliver his/her tax return.

Unlike the existing digital signature, the new one also requires -apart from a username and password- access to the private key, providing a one-time code, which is one of the most secure means of encryption. This will allow the citizen to use the digital signature from any computer without having to install the private key first.

As aforementioned, the new digital signature is expected to be implemented by the end of 2009 in order to ensure a more consistent access to e-government, banking and other private corporate networks. However, holders of the existing digital signature will have the option to upgrade it to the new one; yet, since the current digital signature is valid for two years before it is renewed, it can be used until the last quarter of 2011. After the issuance of the first new digital signature the existing type of e-mail signature will be abandoned.

Further information:

• Original News Article - Centre for Digital Signature - Official Website (in Danish)