Developing technology brings various changes along with it. Institutions have adapted and evolved to meet people’s needs, allowing many transactions to be completed online without visiting offices. This has sped up processes and reduced queues at institutions. In this article we will examine the topic of e-Government electronic signature (e-signature).
What Is an Electronic Signature?
An electronic signature is a signature used in digital environments. It is added to electronic documents and indicates who signed the document. Under Law No. 5070, an electronic signature (e-signature) is accepted as the equivalent of a handwritten signature. The signing process is performed by organizations authorized to issue electronic signature certificates.
Where Can You Obtain an Electronic Signature Certificate?
An important aspect of e-Government electronic signatures is where the electronic signature certificate is obtained. Electronic signatures are issued by Electronic Certificate Service Providers approved by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority. Companies that provide electronic signature certificates include:
- Elektronik Bilgi Güvenliği A.Ş. (E-Güven)
- TÜBİTAK – UEKAE (Public Certification Center)
- Türk Trust Bilgi, İletişim ve Bilişim Güvenliği A.Ş.
- EBG Bilişim Teknolojileri ve Hizmetleri A.Ş. (E-Tugra)
- General Directorate of Security Certification Center (EGMSM)
- E-İmza Bilgi Güvenliği Hizmetleri A.Ş. (e-İmzaTR)
How Is an E-Signature Used?
Next, let’s look at how to use an electronic signature within the e-Government context. To use the electronic signature, you must first install the card driver software on the computer you will use. The required software is typically provided on a CD with the electronic signature package. If you do not have the CD, you can download the software from the website where you obtained the e-signature. After installing the program on your computer and accessing your electronic certificate, you can begin using your e-Government electronic signature.
What Is an E-Signature Applet and How Is It Used?
Another related topic is the e-signature applet. An applet is a small program component that runs within a web browser. It operates inside a page element such as a table or image and, through programming, performs many actions. Configurations supported by the e-signature applet typically include:
- Internet Explorer version 6 and later
- Firefox version 2 and later
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.6 and later
- Operating systems such as Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Linux, Solaris Sparc, and Mac OS X
Requirements Before Running an E-Government Electronic Signature
Before running an e-Government electronic signature, several prerequisites must be met. Supported configurations and required software versions must be installed on the computer. A smart card reader must be installed on the computer where the signature will be used. Programs provided by certificate authorities must be able to access the smart card. Necessary libraries for the specific operating system must also be installed.
Where Is the E-Government Electronic Signature Used?
The e-Government electronic signature can be used in many places to streamline transactions. It can be used to access the e-Government portal. Individuals can use a password, mobile signature, e-signature, or internet banking to access personal information. A single authentication can grant access to many services. During identity verification when logging into the e-Government system, the electronic signature can be used.
Before diving deeper into the e-Government electronic signature, it is useful to consider the conveniences the e-Government portal offers. Through the portal, we can easily access services provided electronically. This reduces queues at institutions and allows tasks to be completed more quickly. The e-Government system provides up-to-date information and enables faster queries and transactions.