On 1 July 2016, the new provisions of the ordinance of the European Union on electronic identification and trust services (eIDAS) will go into effect, which regulates among others issues of mutual recognition of secure electronic signatures by the countries of the European Union. Therefore, today Adobe and Asseco Data Systems (ADS) announced the creation of the organization Cloud Signature Consortium. The Consortium was established as a response to the need for meeting the highest level requirements of the eIDAS Ordinance for EU countries, but we are confident that it will have a global reach, as the demand for highly secure digital solutions continues to grow outside the Union.The first members of the Cloud Signature Consortium, which includes EU trust services providers, scientists and organizations focusing on standards and security, are:
•Asseco Data Systems – Poland
•Bundesdruckerei / D-Trust – Germany
•Cryptolog / Universign – France
•Docapost / Certinomis – France
•InfoCert – Italy
•Intarsys Consulting – Germany
•Intesi Group – Italy
•Izenpe – Spain
•SafeLayer – Spain
•SwissSign – Switzerland
•Technische Universitat Graz - Austria
•Unibridge – NorwayElectronic signatures based on certificates are the most advanced and secure form of expressing will in electronic form, increasingly used by businesses and governments worldwide. However, the use of electronic signatures in accordance with existing standards is sometimes a cumbersome, time-consuming process, that keeps people tethered to their desktop. In many cases, to submit a signature it is required to use a physical device, such as a USB token or a card reader and a card. Such an approach does not meet the growing demands of consumers and entrepreneurs regarding simple, yet secure solutions that work anywhere and on any device.Despite the fact that there are already cloud-based electronic signature solutions, they are proprietary and their functionality covers only a portion of customer requirements. Adobe as leader and Asseco Data Systems as a founding member, together with other members of the consortium, are working together to develop an open standard, which will create a new opportunity to create an electronic signature for more than seven billion mobile devices worldwide.Asseco Data Systems as the leader in electronic signature in Poland feels responsible for the development of this market and open standards. It is very important for us to build innovative trust services based on mobile and cloud technologies. We meet the expectations of the Government of the Republic of Poland which, in connection with the European regulation eIDAS that is entering into force, proposes a series of e-solutions, like an ID card in the telephone. Thanks to solutions like "Certum CloudSign - cloud electronic signature", we give citizens and businesses a chance to sign documents with just a few touches of the screen, without the need to use additional cards and readers. This product fully corresponds to the regulations of eIDAS, and also supports the standards proposed by the global Consortium. – said Andrzej Dopierała, President of Asseco Data Systems.

Why an open standard is neededThe new standard created by the consortium will be critical to furthering digital transformation of business on a global scale by giving everyone access to secure digital signature solutions across a full range of cloud applications and mobile devices. Once implemented, the standard will benefit processes where the key is to identify the person signing the documents, e.g. in applying for welfare benefits or signing credit contracts online. While initially focused on the EU, the Cloud Signature Consortium aims to build a global network of industry contributors and intends to release new standard specifications by the end of 2016. The first cloud-based implementations are to follow shortly thereafter. Adobe has a history of pioneering and advancing industry standards like PDF. We embrace open standards and, where none exist, we help create them. Today, in collaboration with the Cloud Signature Consortium, we are proud to advance an open standard for cloud-based digital signatures. - said Bryan Lamkin, executive vice president and general manager of Digital Media, Adobe.

About Certum Cloud SignCertum CloudSign solution enables easy and safe signing of electronic documents based on trust service compatible with eIDAS. The solution provides services for creating and validating signatures and a wide ecosystem of mobile web and desktop applications run on Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS. Thanks to the service of the virtual card, it is possible to use applications designed to work with thus far very popular cryptographic cards - the standard cryptographic card is replaced by a cloud card run in the data centre of Asseco Data Systems in Poland. By combining the three pillars of business of ADS:
•Certification Centre - responsible for issuing certificates to individuals,
•Data Centre - providing a highly available and efficient server infrastructure,
•Trust Services - designed and manufactured in the R&D laboratories of Certum - Asseco Data Systems,we are ready to support the most demanding and critical business scenarios that require signing documents online, ensuring that the use of a new form of signature in a form that is safe and as simple to use as sending a text message.

Additional materials:
•Find out more about Cloud Signature Consortium www.cloudsignatureconsortium.org
•Find out more about eIDAS at European Commission and Ministry of Development
•Join us on Facebooku and Twitterze
•FAQ Cloud Signature Consortium (attached)
•Information on Asseco Data Systems (download the PressKit)
•ADS logo (download the PressKit)
•Cloud Signature Consortium Logo (download the PressKit)
•photograph of Andrzej Dopierała (download the PressKit)
•photograph of Bryan Lamkin (download the PressKit)

With more than PLN 7.2 billion in sales revenues, Asseco Group took the first place in the category “The largest IT group in Poland” of “ITwiz Best 100” report summing up the results for 2015. Moreover, Asseco Poland became a leader among IT companies which generated the highest sales to the sectors of public administration (PLN 443 million) and healthcare (PLN 188 million). At the same time, Asseco Data Systems won the ranking of IT companies with top revenues from training services (PLN 32 million).

The scope of changes and expansion of the ‘SIA’ IT system necessary for implementation were huge, a dozen times larger than in previous years. There was a real risk that ARMA would not realize payments of more than 95% of the financial envelope, and that would result in sanctions from the EU - said Witold Malina, Head of Agriculture at Asseco Poland. Despite enormous pressure we were able to successfully complete this project and ARMA had a system in place which allowed for around 98% of payments to be realized up until the beginning of June. The scale of system expansion can be illustrated by the fact that the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development moved the deadline from 30 June to 15 October because a large number of EU countries simply couldn’t cope with this challenge. We’ve done it in Poland. This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of ARMA and our specialists. Thanks to the constructive approach shown by the Agency board and the cooperation of both teams, we responded to all the challenges as they happened and kept gradually implementing system modules - he added.
Currently, payments were made to more than 99% of the entitled recipients. Approximately PLN 14bn in direct payments were transferred to their accounts.
Daniel Obajtek, Chairman of ARMA – There was a time when we seriously thought we might not make these payments. This was a very serious problem. However, thanks to strengthening the IT department, the employment of additional people, a certain split up, conversations with the contractor - whom I’d also like to thank – and the involvement of my vice-chairmen, as well as the commitment of the employees at all the district offices, we were able to make the payments and are at the tail end of ‘Kampania 2015’.

The European Economic and Social Committee (working with the European Commission) together with the Business Centre Club awarded a European Medal to Asseco for its CBP (Customer Banking Platform) solution. The European Medal is awarded to recognize companies and institutions that meet the EU standards. The aim of the award is to support Polish products and services on the EU market and bring its idea closer to the business community.

The contest’s main slogan was We are Poland. It was concluded at a special gala event which took place in Warsaw on May 31. Guests were greeted by Wojciech Surmacz, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Bankowa, who acknowledged that the inspiration to create the contest were the words of Adam Góral, CEO of Asseco Poland. In a recent interview for Gazeta Bankowa Mr. Góral said: ‘It is us, the entrepreneurs, who are largely creating our country, and even the best government plan won’t work out if we don’t join its implementation. We all need to act wisely and take responsibility for our actions’.

Asseco was named among the top 25 employers, in a ranking prepared by Gazeta Finansowa. Dynamic professional development and easy access to training courses for Asseco’s employees have been some of the highlights mentioned. Employees enjoy a package of social benefits such as a medical care package or a sports subscription. They can also pursue their love for sports by joining the Asseco Active Team. In addition, Asseco gives their its employees a chance to give back to the community through its annual charity event called We’re helping.