QuoVadis, a global provider of digital certificates, said it has achieved a widely recognised certification that is likely to win it more customers.

The Bermuda-based company, which already provides digital certificates to clients around the world, earned itself the WebTrust Certification Authorities Seal of Assurance, a widely recognised standard designed by accounting giant Ernst & Young after passing an independent audit that put the firm?s security standards under rigorous test.

QuoVadis has been Authorised Certification Services Provider (CSP) accredited since 2001, allowing it to issue accredited certificates meeting the authentication and electronic signature requirements under Bermuda law.

Stephen Davidson, QuoVadis? head of development said the WebTrust certification, which is widely recognised internationally, was a key step in the firm growing its customer base. Most of the world?s major certificate providers now carry the WebTrust seal, he added.

The WebTrust seal tells customers considering using QuoVadis? services that the company has in place the extensive and rigorous security standards that are tested as part of the certification process. The WebTrust certification covers the company?s digital certificate business. QuoVadis also provides business continuity services and I.T. security services in Bermuda. QuoVadis, an early entrant into the digital certificate realm when it formed seven years ago, spent two months being grilled by an on-site independent audit team as part of the earning the WebTrust seal, Mr. Davidson said. In all, the process took nearly a year to complete.

?It is just like a financial audit ? it allows customers and users to have certainty that the global certificate authority has security and good operating practices,? Mr. Davidson said. Digital certificates are effectively an online form of identification that cannot be forged, he explained. Chief security officer Walter Cooke said: ?As the value and sensitivity of online transactions grows, security and accountability are more important than ever before.?

QuoVadis is also currently pursuing Qualified Certification Service Provider status in Switzerland, where it has a growing office. The Swiss recognition would put it in compliance with the European Telecommunications Standards Initiative, recognised by more than 25 countries.