S/MIME Certificates - Basics

Table of contents

Why S/MIME?

The S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) technology secures your email correspondence through encryption and signing.

The asymmetrical encryption protects S/MIME emails against unwanted access, i.e. the reading and modification of the email content by third parties. The digital signature confirms the authorship of the email and notifies the recipient of any unauthorized changes, making it an effective means of detecting phishing emails.

S/MIME certificates are cost-effective because an unlimited number of emails and documents can be sent preencrypted and signed within an email address. They are easy to integrate and use.

Mode of Operation

Digitale Zertifikate binden einen kryptografischen Schlüssel digital an die Identität eines Benutzers und liefern so den Nachweis für den Ursprung und die Integrität der übermittelten Nachricht.
Ist das Zertifikat installiert, kann der Benutzer ausgewählte E-Mail ganz einfach mit einem Klick signieren oder verschlüsseln oder aber über die entsprechende Konfiguration automatisch alle E-Mails mit dem digitalen Zertifikat signieren und verschlüsseln. S/MIME wird von den meisten Mail-Clienten unterstützt (z. B. Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Lotus Notes und Mulberry Mail).

Overview of the available S/MIME Certificates (PersonalSign)

The S/MIME certificates are issued via a digital ID for persons and departments of a company.

Certificate Name	Digital ID for Use	Level of Trust ^{1=high, 3= highest}	Digital ID proves Right of Ownership	Authentication
Personal Sign 1	For general use	1	Email address	By email
Personal Sign 2	Represents your own person	2	Email address Identity assurance of the person	By email Copy of the personal identification card
Personal Sign 2 Pro	For a person which represent an entire company	3	Email address Identity assurance of the person Assurance of the existence of the organization	Via a call to the personnel department with a number from the phone book Company Register is checked
Personal Sign 2 Department	For a department	2	Email address Assurance of the existence of the organization	By email Company Register is checked