Earlier this week, the Information System Authority (RIA) and the Smart-ID solution provider SK ID Solutions (SK) signed a contract that will allow Smart-ID to be used as an authentication tool to access state e-services.

This is an important development in the central authentication service provided by RIA, which is used by more than 60 public sector bodies or persons performing public functions. The service enables authentication with ID-cards, Mobile-ID, bank links, eID tools of EU Member States, and starting with this week, Smart-ID as well. In the past, Smart-ID has been used predominantly in private sector services and in a few state e-services, including the services of the Tax and Customs Board and the Business Register.

Prior to the introduction of Smart-ID, an expert team evaluated the service and found the assurance level of electronic identification to be ‘high’. This means that the rating of Smart-ID is equivalent to the level of ID-card and Mobile-ID. In 2018, Smart-ID was recognised as a QSCD-level service, the highest possible level in the European Union.

“There are almost half a million Smart-ID users in Estonia and the number is growing. It is important that the door of the digital nation is safely open to as many users as possible. Different authentication methods also ensure that one can choose the solution which suits them best, as well as that if one solution fails, another can be used,” said Margus Arm, Head of the Electronic Identity Department at RIA.

“We have always said that it is our goal to achieve the utmost confidence in our electronic identity. Until now, Smart-ID had a shortcoming in Estonia compared to state tools. Now, the Smart-ID service is as ready as it can be on paper – technically, the work on a usable and growing service will never be complete,” said Kalev Pihl, Head of SK ID Solutions.

There are more than 450,000 Smart-ID and 230,000 Mobile-ID users in Estonia. At least 800,000 people use the ID-card electronically a couple of times a year.

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