Equifax SecureMark Achieves tScheme Approval Providing Businesses Greater Confidence in Electronic Communications
Equifax and its digital certificate service, SecureMark, is the latest organisation to be granted service approval from tScheme, the industry-led, independent regulatory scheme for electronic trust services. Equifax joins an elite group of trusted service providers in achieving tScheme approval for a trust service, in line with the UK government’s preferred option for fulfilling Part I of the UK’s Electronic Communications Act 2000*.
SecureMark is Equifax’s online digital certificate service designed to work with standard browsers and operating systems affording businesses the ability to utilise Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) functionality, such as sending encrypted email messages or accessing secure online government applications, with little effort, time and expense. Equifax is unique as a digital certificate provider as both registration and delivery of the certificate are available online. All information is authenticated using Equifax’s comprehensive databases before the certificate is delivered online, ready to be downloaded, making it easier and safer to do business online.
tScheme was set up in 2000 as an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation to create strict assessment criteria against which it approves electronic Trust Services – on-line commercial security services that help defend against fraud and loss of privacy. A wide range of members including service providers, technology companies, government, users and relying parties have made an important contribution to its development. Since its formation it has become an essential element in providing a level of assurance to individuals and companies using or relying upon e-business transactions.
Stephen Upton, Chief Executive of tScheme explains: “It is essential that individuals and organisations can trust the transaction security services provided as part of their online activity. tScheme grants the use of its tScheme-Approved Service mark to show that a service is being operated in accordance with best practice, therefore we have set up a rigorous independent assessment process for awarding the tScheme mark. Equifax is to be congratulated for its achievement in meeting all of the tScheme approval criteria appropriate to the operation of its SecureMark service.”
Michael Shannon, Managing Director, Equifax PLC comments: “The development of Equifax’s SecureMark certificates has facilitated the growth of the Government Gateway, a centralised registration service for e-Government services, by providing a fast, reliable form of online authentication. Equifax has been working with the Government Gateway initiative to provide immediate deliverable solutions that guarantee a new level of secure online transactions.”
“This latest achievement confirms our position as a leader in the provision of services that enable immediate online transactions that guarantee confidentiality, authenticity and integrity.”
Equifax SecureMark certificates are integral to the growth of the Government Gateway, a centralised registration service for e-Government services. The process of obtaining a SecureMark digital certificate is quick and easy and costs just £25 + VAT. Once obtained, it can be used for filing forms through the Government Gateway, including VAT forms, export declarations and self-assessment forms for the Inland Revenue.
ENDS
November 2003
*UK’s Electronic Communications Act 2000: An Act to make provision to facilitate the use of electronic communications and electronic data storage; to make provision about the modification of licences granted under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984; and for connected purposes
For further press information please contact: Justine Russell or Madeleine Roles at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: justine@harrisonsadler.com
