Shaping Cyprus’ digital future with Cyprus national electronic identity

As secure electronic identification is sweeping across Europe and is becoming an essential aspect of the European citizens’ daily life, it’s Cyprus turn to contribute directly to Europe’s Digital Transformation by shaping a future of seamless, secure and trusted digital interactions all over Europe.

Cyprus National Electronic Identity (eID) scheme has been recognised as a notified scheme at the highest level of Assurance (High LoA) in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation (EU 910/2014).

Cyprus with the IDMe.cy achieves mutual recognition of its electronic identification scheme across EU and JCC couldn’t be prouder as the only official Cyprus eID provider and one of the main contributors to this great achievement.

What is Electronic Identity (eID)?

“Electronic identity (eID)” is one of the tools to ensure secure access to online services and to carry out electronic transactions in a safer way with just a username, password and Citizen’s smartphone device.

In simple words, eID is the citizens’ identity in the digital world. It allows you to prove who you are online, just as you would with a physical ID in real life, for example to access public and private services, signing of documents with the highest security and legal validity.

What is a Notified eID Scheme?

Notified eID Scheme refers to an electronic identity that it is recognised and accepted by the other EU member states and meets eIDAS security and quality requirements.

After a thorough review process among Member States, a successfully notified eID scheme becomes mutually recognized, enabling a seamless and secure user experience in online, cross-border transactions, electronic signing of digital documents, as well as the potential for developing new electronic services.

What is a level of assurance?

The term “level of assurance” describes the extent of trust in an individual’s claimed identity, serving as an indicator of the accuracy and reliability of the Digital Identity.
In other words, it relates to the challenge of attempting to use another person’s eID to gain access to an online service.
The three levels of assurance are:
• Low
• Substantial
• High

The higher the level of assurance, the higher the trust and the lower the risk of fraud. Service providers need the eID used for authentication to meet a specific level of assurance, based on the sensitivity of the information they handle.

Cyprus eID and the other eID schemes

Cyprus Electronic Identity has achieved the High Level of Assurance. This means that Cypriot Citizens with a username, password and their smartphone device will be able to use their electronic identities to authenticate to service providers requiring any level of assurance.

This great achievement will enable numerous opportunities within the European Digital Single Market, as well as achieving a milestone in Cyprus’ eGovernment digital transformation.
The status of the Cyprus eID scheme can be found on the official EU list of notified schemes.

For further reference on how to request, generate & use Cyprus eID, visit our FAQ Site or watch our tutorial videos here.

What are the current applications of eID?

The Cyprus Electronic Identity shares dual functionality:
A. Local and Cross-border Authentication to Public Information Systems
Currently, Cypriot Citizens can use their eIDs to be authenticated to the Governmental Portal CYlogin and access services like tax filing, pension applications and land registry submissions.
Cyprus eIDAS node has been connected with 11 other EU Member States offering a secure cross-border authentication. Cypriot citizens and citizens from the 11 EU Member States can use their Electronic Identities to be authenticated in each country’s public services.

B. Digital Signing of Documents in Public & Private Sector
The electronic signature feature of the eID has already been integrated into the Governmental system “Ippodamos”, for the signing of documents such as building permits, construction permits and other property-related documents. In addition, Citizens can download a number of applications that are not digital services, complete and sign them electronically through the JCC’s Signing Portal and send them by email to the competent government services (list of these applications is located here).
Furthermore, Citizens can sign any document either personal either business, securely and easily through the JCC’s Signing Portal.

JCC’s contribution to this remarkable achievement

JCC as the only Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) in Cyprus, started the journey of becoming an accredited by the Cyprus Government, Cyprus National eID Provider in 2021. In 2022, JCC officially became a Cyprus eID Provider and in March 2023 joined the journey towards the Cypriot Electronic Identity Scheme Notification. JCC with its technical and business expertise on the developed Cyprus eID solution, successfully contributed to the recognition of idme.cy as a High Level of Assurance scheme.

Sharing the vision of creating a more secure and efficient digital world for Cyprus by collaborating closely with government, businesses entities, and industry partners is a primary goal for JCC, as we believe this collaboration is key to shaping the future of digital trust services.

We are honoured to be part of the global advancement of digital trust and authentication. Together, we are working to build a more secure and seamless digital environment for everyone.