The Estonian eID - concept and applications

Signe RatsoDeputy Secretary General

Gothenburg, November 14, 2005

Objectives of the ID-card:

• Authentication tool for e-services both in public and private sector• For giving digital signature• Use as a ticket in public

transport

By October 2005 more than 840 000ID cards had been issued

ICT legislation

Identity Documents Act (2000)• establishes the national ID card as the primary personal

identification document

Digital Signatures Act (2000)• states that digital signature is equal to the handwritten one• imposes an obligation on public sector institutions to

accept digitally signed documents• regulates the activities of Certification and Time-Stamping

Service providers

ID card - fields of application

• As a regular ID

• As an authentication tool for e-services both in the public and the private sector

• For giving digital signature

• As an ID-ticket for public transport

• As a loyal customer card

• As a door card

• In eVoting

E-VotingTo vote via Internet voter needs:

• An Estonian ID card with valid certificates and PIN-codes

Computer used for voting must have:• A smart card reader • A driver for ID card (free to download from page www.id.ee/installer)

• A Windows or Linux operating system

Website for voting:

www.valimised.ee

www.valimised.ee

Identification: • Put your card into card reader • Insert PIN 1

****

Ballot completion:

• Choose a candidate

Authentication

• Confirm your choice

• Insert PIN2

*****

Confirmation

General concept of E-voting1. Voter inserts the ID-card into a card reader and opens the

homepage of the National Electoral Committee;2. A relevant candidate lists of voter’s constituency is displayed

according to the voters identification number;3. Voter makes his/her voting decision which is encrypted - the

inner envelope;4. Voter confirms his/her choice with a digital signature - the

outer envelope;5. Voter gets a confirmation that his/her vote has been recorded.

Conclusions

• For the first time e-Voting used on the national level

• 7.8% of all advance votes were electronic

(9000 e-votes / 120 000 advance votes together)

• System proved to be reliable and secure

Internet voting locationMost popular places for e-voting:• Banks• State and municipal offices• Telecommunication companies

Top 10 by municipalities:

1. Tallinn 3833 6. Viljandi 1292. Tartu 786 7. Harku 1243. Pärnu 250 8. Saku 1074. Viimsi 179 9. Narva 1035. Kuressaare 135 10. Saue rural mun. 97

Thank You for Your Attention!