(November 8 – 11:20 ET) – The Canadian Payments Association has teamed up with IBM Canada Ltd. to bring direct payment service to the Internet.
Using public key infrastructure (PKI), the CPA will act as a certification authority (CA) for e-commerce payments in Canada. The CPA will be responsible for issuing digital certificates to its member financial institutions and other qualified firms. The goal is to assure transacting parties of each other’s identities, thereby assuring the security of the transaction.
Individual organizations will then be able to be certified by the CPA and become subordinate CAs, issuing digital certificates to their customers.
Under the agreement, IBM will act as a consultant with the CPA:
-defining the PKI business and technical requirements, including system architecture;
-developing the certificate practice statement and certificate policies, which will articulate the rules, policies and procedures governing the operation of the PKI system;
-establishing the registration and accreditation rules for subordinate CAs, primarily CPA members;
-developing criteria for cross-certification with other PKI systems, including those being developed internationally; and
-preparing a Request for Proposal for potential technology solutions to implement the PKI, and assisting in the evaluation of proposals received.
These consultations are expected to be completed by mid-2000, with a pilot project for Internet direct payments under way by the end of 2000.
-IE Staff
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