Swisscom’s new Mobile ID App enabled by Futurae
Swisscom Trust Services new Mobile ID App for an easy and secure login, digital signature and expression of intent is enabled by Futurae Authentication Platform. Cumbersome SMS codes disappear for end users. The solution is aimed at companies in Switzerland and the EU.
The requirements for a modern interaction of companies with their customers have been changing for a long time due to digitalisation. The events of this year have massively accelerated this trend. For many, the rapid shift to digital processes meant remaining operational at all. In addition to videoconferencing and communication platforms, it is also necessary to make legally valid decisions and conclude contracts online. At the same time, cyber-security risks have increased due to the distribution of the workforce from an often manageable number of company locations out to the home offices of the employees. With the new App-based version of Mobile ID, Swisscom Trust Services offers a solution that allows logins to websites and portals as well as digital signatures or declarations of intent to be carried out simply and securely. Swisscom relies on the Swiss cybersecurity provider Futurae Technologies, which offers the highest security and user-friendliness standards.
Futurae was founded by members of the Systems Security Group at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich with the goal of making the authentication process user-friendly and secure for organizations and their customers. The Authentication Platform consists of a variety of authentication methods that provide full flexibility to organizations and protect the privacy of users.
Mobile ID covers various applications for companies throughout Europe in a wide range of industries. For example, simple and secure customer authentication, autonomous password resets, qualified signature service or even VPN or remote desktop solutions. Especially the qualified electronic signature (QES), which the law considers to be as legally valid as the handwritten signature, forms the basis for the personal expression of will in health care, banking, insurance and administrative transactions at tax authorities and cantons. In addition to the canton of Neuchâtel, the canton of Zurich already offers Mobile ID for its ZHservices where you can already secure your taxes with the new app.
Thanks to Futurae’s innovative and user-friendly two-factor technologies, private individuals no longer need to use the cumbersome SMS codes they previously had to use when using these services.
Andrea Rizzo, Head of the Operations Centre for IT Solutions at the Canton of Neuchâtel, says: “We are very proud to be one of the first cantons to offer the user-friendly Mobile ID to our customers for official identification in administrative processes. The integration with the local Swiss partners Swisscom and Futurae was very efficient and straightforward”.
Mario Gurschler, Global Lead Mobile ID at Swisscom: “Swisscom Trust Services stands for innovation, security and compliance. Combining these values in integrated solutions is at the heart of our business and sets us apart from the competition in an increasingly rapidly changing market environment. With Futurae, we have found a partner that offers great flexibility in a wide range of authentication methods and shares our philosophy of security without compromising on user-friendliness. This is demonstrated concretely for the end users with the replacement of the SMS code and higher security at the same time”.
Sandra Tobler, co-founder and CEO of Futurae, adds: “We are extremely happy that Swisscom chose Futurae to enable secure customer authentication and signing services for their trusted services as we complement our offering perfectly. We are very much looking forward to address the Swiss and European markets in the area of qualified electronic signature and strong customer authentication. The cooperation with Swisscom is an enrichment for both teams”.
Swisscom and Futurae Team (Covid-19 compliant photo)
Top from the left: Benoit Stroelin (Head of Swisscom Trust Services), Mario Gurschler (Global Lead Mobile ID, Swisscom), Marco Schmid (Head of Strategy, Swisscom Trust Services) Bottom from the left: Gaetano Mecenero (CMO & Partnerships, Futurae), Sandra Tobler (Co-Founder & CEO, Futurae), Claudio Marforio (Co-Founder & COO, Futurae)
