Issuance of mobile digital signatures starts in Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
Official distribution of "ASAN-imza" mobile digital signatures in Azerbaijan starts on May 15, an official of the Ministry of Taxes has said.
The Ministry of Taxes started applying mobile digital signature services in the country for the first time in early May.
In an effort to prevent the current and future challenges in the provision of e-services, a center for electronic signature certification closely integrated with the automated tax information system has been established under the ministry.
According to the head of the ministry's legal affairs department, Samira Musayeva, obtaining an electronic signature is possible at the ASAN service center and taxpayer service centers of the ministry.
"To use the mobile digital signature it is necessary to change the Sim-card. Azerbaijani mobile communication operators' representatives will be working in the centers. The installation of the application and the activation of the mobile digital signature will be carried out both in the center for electronic signature certification under the Ministry of Taxes and ASAN-Xidmet centers," Musayeva said.
The new platform of the mobile signature center is integrated with the platforms of all three cellular operators of Azerbaijan.
This service will also be installed in new identity cards, which are to be issued in 2014. Thus, the citizen will have his personal and electronic signature data stored together.
The digital IT card of the new center will ensure a transition to enhanced electronic services. Unlike the previous e-signatures, the new signature will work on all operating systems.
Mobile digital signature may be used on personal and portable computers as well as tablet PCs.
While using mobile digital signatures on mobile phones and PCs, the subscriber's cell phone number is used, which receives two versions of PIN-codes. One of them is used to confirm authentication, while the second one -- to sign the document itself. After completing the operation, the mobile number of the subscriber receives relevant confirmation.
The safety systems used in mobile signatures meet the latest requirements as well as the requirements of the European guidelines, therefore, the new signature will allow citizens and businessmen to carry out international banking and financial transactions, to establish joint ventures, as well as sign important documents.
Minister of Taxes Fazil Mammadov believes that since the new center is integrated with the mobile signature center, access to e-signatures will be possible through any device. This, in turn, will give an impetus to the development of the Internet and mobile banking in the country and the expansion of non-cash payments.
The State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations and ASAN Service Center No.1 were opened by President Ilham Aliyev on December 29. The state agency was established to increase transparency in state bodies' activity, render more high quality, convenient services to citizens by using new methods and innovations, improve services and accelerate the transition to electronic services.