Flemish government and itsme^® bring digital signatures into every household in Flanders

Through this new framework agreement, the Flemish government, local authorities and schools can now all make unlimited and free use of the full range of itsme services.

“We’re bringing digitalisation and administrative simplification into the living room of everyone in Flanders,” stated Flemish Minister-President and Minister of Digitalisation, Matthias Diependaele. “Everyone is familiar with the ease of use of itsme. And from now on, all public authorities in Flanders will be able to make unlimited use of itsme, free of any additional charge, for logging on to websites and services, as well as enabling citizens to sign digitally for items including permits and official documents. Also schools can now use itsme to have documents such as school rules signed digitally by parents.”

 “By working with a single framework agreement, we’re dramatically increasing efficiency, while at the same time lowering the threshold for working with a robust security solution,” continued the Minister. “A digitally secure Flanders is a necessity, especially now that phishing and other criminal activities are putting that security under increasing pressure”.

With itsme, all users need is a smartphone to gain access to a range of documents, as well as to sign them. This means that a card reader is no longer required for the eID card. And as a result, the simple and affordable itsme solution is now within reach of all regional and local authorities in Flanders in addition to educational establishments and schools. The associated costs are being borne by Digitaal Vlaanderen, the digitalization agency of the Flemish government. The framework agreement with Belgian Mobile ID includes unlimited use of itsme for all official interactions and documents.

 “This agreement is part of the broader aim of the Flemish government to speed up and simplify digitalisation,” said Jan Smedts, head of Digitaal Vlaanderen. “Thanks to the collaboration with itsme, we are making Flemish Access Management and Digital Signing the number one standard for all government authorities and we are also extending it to schools and educational organisations. This means there is now no reason in the world not to use strong security solutions: they are highly accessible and have unlimited use. This way, we are contributing to providing maximum ease of use and security for a digital government.”

Digitally signing official documents is now also possible with itsme. Stephanie De Bruyne, CEO of Belgian Mobile ID: “More than 80% of the adult population has an itsme account for logging in online. Through this new collaboration, we are making the digital signing of documents broadly accessible to everyone. Uses include the signing of reports or registering absences from school, or signing official documents or applications with the authorities. itsme signatures are qualified, which means they have the same legal value as a handwritten signature on paper.”

Threats to and attacks on the digital infrastructure have risen sharply since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, as have new geopolitical tensions. Governments are not alone in having to combat this. It is a worldwide reality in which the public at large and companies are also experiencing the impact of cybercrime first-hand.

For that reason, the Flemish government is now providing a single solution for all official government authorities and educational establishments in Flanders. As a result, sensitive data can be better protected, while at the same time, public expectations with regard to user-friendliness and personalised services can also be met.

Each individual authority, agency or school cannot achieve this on its own. Through this framework agreement, we are strengthening security by providing a scalable and effective solution for all official bodies in Flanders.