The parties have entered into a cooperation agreement that will make it possible to replace traditional ways of exchanging signed documents with electronic interoperability. A solution with digital signatures and electronic ID enables secure transfer of this type of documents over open networks.
Interoperability frequently requires a secure exchange of information over open networks. Today, regular postal services or fax is used to submit legally signed documents to different public authorities for the registration and transfer of property rights, mortgages and other agreements. The documents often have to be routed via different institutions for validation before reaching their final destination.
Interoperability with digital signatures and electronic ID makes it possible to carry out such transactions electronically over open networks. Interoperability over open networks is also a requirement from the European Union (EU) to ensure free movement of services. The requirements are incorporated in statutory instruments covering the whole EU- and EEC area and also take effect immediately for the ten new member countries being admitted into the union.
The cooperation between DNV (Det Norske Veritas), Norway Registers Development and IBM makes it possible to offer a complete solution not previously known in the market, neither in Norway nor internationally. The solution is based on technology developed in Norway and will be offered to the international market.
Through the three partners, the technology is now in place for digital signatures and electronic ID and the portal- and registers solutions that enables secure communication between known as well as random parties over open networks, by using validation services for digital signatures and electronic ID.
About DNV (Det Norske Veritas)
DNV is an independent Norwegian foundation with the objective of safeguarding life, property and the environment. We are an international company comprised of 5,700 employees from 85 nations working in 300 offices in 100 countries. DNV offers services within four areas: certification, maritime activities, technology services and consulting. For more see www.dnv.com.
DNV is planning to establish an independent validation service for digital signatures and electronic ID with the objective to realise interoperability and risk management for locations in Norway, the Nordic countries, the European Union and the world at large.
About Norway Registers Development
NRD is a stockholding company that for a number of years has specialized on institutional structures and systems supporting property rights and risk management processes serving democratic market economies. The company is cooperating with the Brønnøysund Register Centre in Norway representing the “OECD best practice” of register operations. NRD has a reference list of more than 75 undertakings in more than 25 countries in Europe, Africa and Latin America. The references covers property rights registers, companies and other legal entities registers, pledge and mortgage registers, securities depositories and “Greenhouse Gas”- registers. NRD has 63 employees with local operation and representation in Lithuania, Macedonia and Ecuador.
The FINER-information portal (Framework for Internet-based Registration and filing) allowing for delivery of legally valid information over open networks, developed by NRD, is today used by the Brønnøysund Register Centre as well as the Companies Registry Office, Ireland.
For more see http://finer.nrd.no/
About IBM Norway
IBM Norway is one of Norway’s leading consulting businesses with more than 1000 consultants of a total of 1,500 employees. Together with the partners IBM is offering knowledge and experience on central industry sectors. IBM delivers some of the most scalable and secure network solutions in the world. When we build such solutions, we utilise hard- and software, services and first class solutions from both IBM, our partners and our suppliers. For more see www.ibm.com/no.
IBM brings into the partnership its VALIDSIGN-solution and market leading competence with technical implementation and business development with regards to digital signatures and electronic ID. Also see www-5.ibm.com/services/no/its/validsign
Contacts:
Chief Operating Officer, Henrik O. Madsen, DNV Certification, ph.: +47 67 57 87 47
President, John Schjelderup Olaisen, NRD, ph.: + 47 22 40 45 50
President Arthur Brunvoll, IBM Global Services, ph.: + 47 66 99 89 97
Date: 2004-03-17