Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The number of electronic signature holders in Azerbaijan has almost doubled since the end of January 2013, according to the Information Computer Center (ICC) of the Communications and Information Technologies Ministry.

The electronic government bulletin issued by the ICC says that the total number of e-signature certificates issued by the National Certification Services Center by March 1 was 9,194, which is 4,952 more than the figure reported in late January.

A digital signature (standard electronic signature) turns traditional paper-based signing into an electronic fingerprint or coded message, which is unique to both the document and the signer and binds them together. Digital signatures ensure the authenticity of the signer.

According to the ICC, 5,309 issued certificates account for state-run entities, while 220 units account for legal entities and 3,665 were granted to citizens.

The certification center reported that the number of active users of the e-government portal ehdis.az reached 4,277. The number of unique visitors of the portal as of February comprised 22,729 units.

183 e-services are available at the portal. The total number of e-services at the websites of the Azerbaijani government agencies is 347.

The e-government portal is a key tool that supports the work with citizens and agencies of both the public and private sectors of the Azerbaijani economy.

13,025 people used electronic services of state institutions in February compared to 12,438 in January.

The certification center also said it has finished work on ensuring the possibility of using e-services via mobile devices like smartphones and tablet PCs.

The ICC has been granting mobile authentication certificates since February 2013. Issuance of e-signature certificates for mobile devices started on March 1.