2025-07-07

Trusted Services – An Effective Response to Modern Cyber Threats

In an era of increasing digitalization and ever more sophisticated hacking attacks, data security is becoming a top priority for every organization. Comprehensive trusted services solutions offer effective protection against cyber threats and support compliance with applicable legal regulations.

Cyber Threats – A Real Risk to Businesses

Phishing, ransomware, data interception (MITM), unauthorized access, or fake certificates – these are just some of the most common threats businesses face today. The statistics are alarming: 90% of cyberattacks begin with phishing, and the average cost of a data breach amounts to USD 4.45 million (IBM, 2023). The consequences? Identity theft, financial losses, reputational damage, and high administrative fines for violations of GDPR.

The Most Common Cyber Threats – Descriptions, Data, and Sources

In the age of digital transformation, where data is the new currency and remote work and mobility have become the norm, cybersecurity is of critical importance. The coming years bring not only new technological opportunities but also increasingly sophisticated threats. Phishing attacks, ransomware, data interception, or fake certificates are no longer distant scenarios – they are a daily reality for many organizations.

This article presents the most common cyber threats, their mechanisms, the scale of the phenomenon, and the sources on which the data is based. It is a compendium of knowledge designed to help understand what the digital world is currently facing – and how to effectively defend against it.

The most common cyber threats include phishing, malicious software (malware), ransomware attacks, DDoS attacks, and the theft of personal data. Phishing involves impersonating trusted institutions, most often via fake emails or websites, in order to extract confidential information. Malware, in turn, can infect computers or smartphones, allowing cybercriminals to access sensitive data or take control of a device. Ransomware operates by blocking access to files and demanding a ransom for their decryption, which can paralyze both individuals and entire companies. DDoS attacks, which are becoming increasingly frequent, involve overloading servers and disabling online services. All these threats demonstrate how essential it is to maintain network security and apply appropriate protective measures.

Sources:

•  CERT Polska – Analiza bezpieczeństwa internetu 2024
•  CERT Polska – Raport roczny 2024
•  ENISA Threat Landscape 2024

Each of these threats carries serious consequences – from personal data breaches, through financial and legal losses, to the loss of reputation and customer trust. That is why implementing effective protection mechanisms is so important.

Trusted Services – The Foundation of Digital Security

In response to the growing threats in the digital world, trusted services play a key role in ensuring the security of electronic transactions. These are solutions that enable secure and legally compliant contract execution, document transmission, and identity verification – both in relations between consumers, businesses, and public administration. Of particular importance are qualified trusted services, which carry the highest legal weight and are provided exclusively by entities that meet the strict requirements of the EU’s eIDAS Regulation. Their register is maintained by the National Certification Center. Thanks to these services, many processes can be transferred to the digital world without compromising trust, integrity, or security. Qualified trusted services are a response to the modern challenges of cybersecurity.

What Does a Qualified Electronic Signature Provide?

An electronic signature is not just a convenient tool – above all, it is a guarantee of security and reliability in the digital world. Its primary function is to ensure integrity, meaning the certainty that the content of a document has not been altered after it was signed. This allows the recipient to trust the authenticity of the transmitted data. Another key element is the authentication of the signer – the signature makes it possible to unambiguously identify the person who signed the document, eliminating the risk of impersonation. The third pillar is non-repudiation, which means that, from both a technical and legal perspective, the signer cannot deny having signed the document. It is this very feature that enables the secure conclusion of contracts and transactions online, with legal effect equivalent to a handwritten signature.

Electronic Seal – The Digital Identity of an Organization

The electronic seal is one of the key tools that ensure the security and reliability of corporate documents in the digital environment. Its main function is to confirm that a given document originates from a specific organization – whether it be a company, public authority, or government institution. The seal guarantees integrity by securing the content after it has been sealed – any modification will be detected. Moreover, it provides authenticity, enabling the clear identification of the organization in the electronic domain. As a result, the electronic seal becomes not only the digital equivalent of a traditional stamp but also a guarantor of security and trust in electronic communication. It is important to note that these features are fully realized above all by a qualified seal.

Seal and Signature – Two Complementary Pillars of Trust

It is important to emphasize that the qualified electronic seal by Certum is not an alternative to the electronic signature – these are two complementary tools that serve different functions within the digital document workflow. Users often use both solutions in parallel: the electronic seal is used to authenticate corporate documents and confirm their origin from a specific organization, while the electronic signature is applied in situations where a declaration of intent must be made by a specific natural person, either acting on their own behalf or as a representative of a company or public authority. This dual approach ensures full compliance with legal regulations and provides the highest level of security and trust in electronic communication.

Timestamp – A Digital Proof of Document Existence

A timestamp is an integral element of an electronic signature and plays a key role in ensuring the reliability of digital documents. This service involves attaching to electronic data a time indication showing when the data was signed or certified, along with electronic confirmation of this fact by a qualified trusted service provider. In practice, a timestamp functions like a digital label that clearly indicates the moment a document was created or signed—independently of the user and their device. Importantly, according to the provisions of the Civil Code, a qualified timestamp has the legal effect of a certain (verifiable) date, which makes it extremely important in evidentiary contexts. Thanks to the timestamp, it is possible to confirm the existence of a document at a specific point in time, which is crucial in situations such as legal disputes, audits, or archiving.

e-Delivery – The Digital Equivalent of a Registered Letter

e-Delivery is a modern electronic registered delivery service that enables the secure sending and receiving of documents in digital form—with legal effect equivalent to that of a traditional registered letter. Every event related to the delivery process—from dispatch, through delivery, to acknowledgment of receipt—is recorded in the system and accompanied by electronic evidence. This allows for the precise determination of the date and time of sending and delivery, eliminating the risk of disputes or challenges regarding deadlines.

The service also ensures full security and confidentiality of correspondence. Data is encrypted, and access is granted only to authorized parties. e-Delivery protects users from fraud, such as phishing or identity theft, by ensuring clear identification of both the sender and the recipient. Message integrity guarantees that content cannot be altered during transmission, and communication privacy is safeguarded at every stage of the process. This solution is ideal for businesses, public institutions, and individuals who want to ensure that their documents are delivered securely, effectively, and in full compliance with the law.

Solutions to Cyberthreats

In the face of the growing number and complexity of cyberattacks, the market offers a range of qualified trusted services that effectively address specific types of threats.

Benefits of Implementing Trusted Services – Security, Compliance, and Trust

Implementing trusted services is not only a response to the growing threat of cyberattacks—it also delivers real business value. First and foremost, these services provide security by protecting data, documents, and communications against unauthorized access, tampering, and data breaches. They also ensure legal compliance, including adherence to the EU eIDAS regulation, offering legal certainty and eliminating the risk of financial penalties. With digital signatures, seals, and e-Delivery, organizations can automate processes—reducing paper usage, speeding up signing procedures, and implementing modern, efficient workflows. Equally important, trusted services build trust—both in the eyes of clients and business partners—enhancing the professional image of the organization and increasing stakeholder loyalty.