2 Billion Proofs of Security – How Does Certum’s Electronic Timestamp Work?

In this article you will learn:

1. What a qualified electronic timestamp is and why its role in the digital world is so important.
2. How a timestamp works and how it helps protect document integrity and support the legality of business processes.
3. How this technology successfully works in practice – across industries, legal contexts, and everyday business operations.

In the digital age, precisely determining the moment a document is created is crucial for the security and legality of business processes. Certum, as a leading provider of trust services, has achieved an impressive milestone – 2 billion issued qualified timestamps. This confirms that our solutions have been supporting digital business transformation and the security of electronic documents for years.

What is a qualified electronic timestamp?

A qualified timestamp is a trust service that irrefutably confirms that a given electronic document existed at a specific moment in time. It provides legal credibility to electronic documents, serving as proof confirming the date indicated on the document. As a result, no one can manipulate the document’s creation date. Providing such confirmation ensures that the data is authentic and compliant with the law.

It is issued by a qualified trust service provider. It must meet strict legal and technical requirements defined in the eIDAS regulation (applicable throughout the European Union). It is subject to supervision by appropriate institutions (in Poland, for example, NASK or the Ministry of Digital Affairs) and is listed in an official register. The qualified trust service provider plays a key role in the entire process – it is responsible for its consistency and precision.

How does a timestamp work and why is it so important to assign a certain date to documents?

The importance of precisely determining time in electronic documents grows as more and more business processes move online. This is particularly important in situations such as legal disputes, contract signing, official filings, or settlements. A certain date serves as hard evidence and can determine the outcome of a case.

How does a timestamp work? A qualified timestamp assigns a credible date – a so-called certain date – and time of existence to an electronic document. Timestamps are typically used together with an electronic signature or electronic seal, although they may also be added independently. Their use ensures that the moment of signing is authenticated by a third party (the date is taken from an external source). In this way, it helps avoid disputes over dates and deadlines. This is especially important in fields such as law, finance, or healthcare. It effectively prevents attempts to manipulate a document’s date, for example by changing system settings. Thanks to timestamps, companies can be certain that submitted documents have full evidential value, without the risk of forgery. These solutions allow businesses to fully harness the potential of digitization while remaining fully compliant with current legal regulations.

Why is a timestamp important when using an electronic signature? Is an electronic signature alone not enough?

An electronic signature may contain information about the date and time the document was signed. However, it does not provide independent confirmation of that date. This means it is vulnerable to manipulation, such as changing the system date on the device. Such a date does not meet the legal requirements of a so-called certain date.

How does a timestamp work with an electronic signature?

Only by adding a qualified timestamp issued by a trusted provider can one obtain credible confirmation that the document existed at a specific moment. Thus, the timestamp strengthens the evidential value of the electronic signature. Additionally, it protects against forgery. It is required in situations where it is necessary to precisely determine the date and time of an operation.

Application of the qualified timestamp in business

A qualified timestamp is used across many industries. It is essential for signing contracts electronically, document archiving, or confirming the timely submission of offers. In regulated sectors such as finance or healthcare, it ensures compliance with legal requirements. For example, in the medical sector, it allows the confirmation of the date on sensitive documents. In logistics, it supports the registration of shipment dispatch times. Companies from various sectors implement this solution primarily to increase security and become more credible business partners. It also facilitates audits and protects against unauthorized changes.

The timestamp can be applied across many sectors and document types, including:

• Signing electronic contracts and agreements.
• Signing electronic invoices.
• Securing electronically transmitted medical documentation.
• Other areas that require confirmation of a certain date.

Benefits of using a qualified timestamp

The use of a qualified timestamp brings a number of benefits that significantly enhance the security and credibility of electronic documents. First and foremost, it ensures the integrity of the document by confirming that it has not been altered after the qualified timestamp was added. Thanks to precise time marking, the risk of backdating and content manipulation is eliminated. This is particularly crucial in the context of contracts or financial transactions.

Additionally, a qualified timestamp facilitates the verification of document authenticity. This is especially important in dispute situations. Here the accuracy of the date and time can serve as key evidence.

• Ensuring the credibility and integrity of documents.
• Protection against backdating and manipulation of content after signing.
• Easier verification of authenticity in legal disputes.
• Compliance with legal regulations, such as the eIDAS regulation.

Summary

A qualified timestamp is a key tool in modern business. It ensures document integrity, facilitates compliance with legal regulations, and increases process transparency. Its implementation is a step toward digital transformation, allowing companies to operate faster, more securely, and more effectively.

The issuance of 2 billion qualified timestamps is not only a source of pride for Certum. It is also a commitment to continue developing innovative solutions. We thank our partners and clients for their trust – together we are building the future of secure digitization.