The Digital Government Authority (DGA) announced the opening of applications to obtain a Digital Certification license through its website; with the aim of licensing a number of companies to provide "Digital Certification services", which will contribute to providing innovative solutions and business models in the provided services, and raising the levels of adoption of the use of digital certification services in Saudi Arabia; to enhance the investment environment by instilling reliability in the integrity and safety of e-transactions and signatures and providing additional options for beneficiaries in the government and private sectors.

DGA explained that digital certification services are: an e-service aimed at verifying the validity and integrity of electronic transactions, and the identity of the parties involved. Its services include: issuing digital certificates, e-signatures, electronic and time stamps, in addition to device management. It clarified that it aims to license two categories of service providers:
 

• The first category is a comprehensive service provider, which qualifies it to provide all digital certification services.

• The second category is a specific service provider, which is qualified to provide one or more services, excluding the issuance of digital certificates.

DGA called on companies wishing to provide digital certification services to apply for a license through its website by Thursday, August 29, 2024.

This announcement comes as part of the Authority’s efforts to raise the levels of trust and security in digital transactions for the government and private sector as one of the most prominent components of digital transformation programs and initiatives, and to improve the regulatory environment for this service. Further to contribute to enhancing digital transformation to increase the contribution of digital services to the national economy in accordance with the targets of Vision 2030.