Thales hardware security modules and Time Stamp Servers help counter black market in degree certificates

Plantation, FL – 9 December 2013 – Thales, leader in information systems and communications security, announces that its nShield hardware security modules (HSMs) and Time Stamp Server have been deployed by University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, to generate digital degree certificates for their graduates and so reduce the instance of counterfeiting and fraud.

Academic institutions around the world face challenges over the production of counterfeit degree certificates. University of Malaya decided to address the problem by issuing e-Scrolls or digital degree certificates to their graduates. These e-Scrolls are digitally signed and time stamped and can be authenticated online.

Each e-Scroll is digitally signed by the university’s Registrar and Vice Chancellor using GlobalSign ® digital IDs. Thales high assurance, tamper-resistant HSMs provide strong protection for the digital identities of the two signatories, securely storing their private signing keys and preventing unauthorized access. As part of the process, each e-Scroll is issued a secure time stamp against the Malaysian National clock (located at SIRIM) by a Thales Time Stamp Server, providing an additional layer of security and indicating the exact time and date the credential was issued.

Dr David Asirvatham, Director of IT Centre, University of Malaya says:
“More than 7,000 students graduate from the University of Malaya each year, and we feel it is our duty to present them with a certificate that has strong credibility and integrity as it is widely associated with our university. Thales provided us with the technology to allow us to issue a digitally signed and time stamped e-Scroll in a solution that is quick and simple to deploy. Not only does the e-Scroll overcome the issues of counterfeit degrees, but in a world where a growing number of graduates apply for jobs online, employers are able to quickly and easily validate the authenticity of the certificates. Effective 2013, all students graduating from the University of Malaya will receive an e-Scroll at their graduation ceremony in addition to a printed certificate.”

Richard Mallet, Managing Director, APAC, Thales e-Security says:
“Organizations are increasingly moving from paper-based to electronic documents in order to reduce costs and increase productivity, but it is also essential that any such system provides the high levels of assurance necessary to ensure the authenticity and integrity of those documents. Thales has a wealth of experience and leading-edge products in the area of digital signatures and time stamping to protect digital signatures, making it practical for organizations, to implement these high-strength cryptographic techniques. We are particularly proud that University of Malaya chose Thales technology to deliver its innovative and secure e-Scroll.”

Supporting resources:
Case study: http://www.thales-esecurity.com/knowledge-base/case-studies/university-malaya
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