Time Stamps

Benefits

  • Compliance with legislative requirements on data demonstrability
  • Fast and efficient implementation
  • Uniform solution for all archived data
  • Clear Archived Data Demonstrability

Clear Archived Data Demonstrability

Archiving solution using so called „time stamps“ allows for achieving of a high degree of archived documents demonstrability towards authorities. It thus offers solution to assure validity and invariability of the archived contents and to prove content existence at a certain moment in time.  As a real-life example, it is possible to mention an invoice provided with clear content definition within the framework of archiving and time stamp attachment (addition of even single character can be detected) and the time of time stamp attachment (verified against accredited external entity).

The principle of a time stamp is based on a digital signature and so called hash function. The first step for the stamping process is generating (hash function) a unique print (in the form of an n-bit string) in relationship with the content of the relevant document.

This n-bit hash string is sent to the time stamping authority (TSA). The TSA completes the hash string with the time data and other identifiers. This connection generates a ‘time’ hash, which the TSA digitally signs with the private key of the time authority. Such signed set of information is sent back by the TSA as a “time stamp”.

Since the above-mentioned hash function is unidirectional, the TSA is not able to reverse construct the content of the document based on the resulting string. Thus the safety of the document content is retained.

The complex solution offered by IXTENT® comprises the services of I.CA (První certifikační autorita, a.s., and/or accredited provider of qualified time stamps. IXTENT® thus offers a complex solution for both the information content archiving and for securing the highest degree of its demonstrability.

Solution Characteristics:

  • Clear demonstrability of archived data and documents
  • Complex „turn key“ solution in form of archive solution and I.CA‘s services implementation and integration
  • Compliance with relevant standards and norms through the worldwide standard and accredited authority’s qualified time stamps implementation into the archiving software

The solution is suitable for all business areas.

References:

  • GECO TABAK, a.s