Adobe CDS (True Credentials For Adobe)

Adobe CDS (True Credentials For Adobe) is changing the way enterprises use and trust electronic information. It allows authors to create Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) documents that clearly certify to recipients that the author’s identity has been verified by a trusted organization and that the document has not been altered.

The solution allows organizations to engage in more secure, reliable electronic document exchange.

Safeguarding online transactions, identities and data exchange for today's global enterprise.

Document Integrity - Seamless And Simple

Together, Adobe and GeoTrust have developed a revolutionary solution for document security. Adobe CDS (True Credentials For Adobe) is the first ubiquitous implementation of public key document validation technology and because it is embedded within existing Adobe applications, it is truly seamless and easy to use.

Adobe CDS (True Credentials For Adobe) is available to either individuals or departments within a business.

Desktop Based Solution - USB Token

The USB token is designed for low or moderate volume signing using Adobe Acrobat. A FIPS 140-2 level 2 USB cryptographic token is issued to an individual (Sarah Jones) or a department (ABC Company, Human Resources). The token, which holds the verified signer's CDS certificate, must be installed in the signing party's USB computer port, and each PDF document is signed individually, using a secure, two factor, process (token plus password).

Server Based Solution

The server based solution is designed for organisations that are publishing high volumes of documents (such as bank statements, billing statements, or reports in the name of an organization). This solution, developed by nCipher, combines on a 1U rack-mountable device the Adobe LiveCycle™ Security server, the nCipher FIPS 140-1 level 3 hardware security module (HSM) and the Adobe CDS solution. This optimised appliance eliminates the step of manually opening each PDF file and applying a certified signature.

Applications For Certified Document Services

The need to certify document authenticity is stronger than ever in today’s electronic business environment. Digital signature capabilities enable important documents and information to be delivered inside and outside of a business, with added assurances that the information arrives exactly as it was intended.

Adobe CDS (True Credentials For Adobe) is an ideal solution for any business that requires strong authentication of their Adobe documents, including :

Financial Services that are driven by high value transactions, the conservative nature of business operations and need to adhere to government regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Educational Institutions that want to expedite the dissemination of transcripts and grades, and save on processing costs.

Healthcare Organizations that must maintain highly sensitive information and compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Manufacturing Companies that are facing pressure to reduce costs by streamlining business work-flow by replacing paper transactions with electronic transactions.

Government Agencies that need to support the e-government Act of 2002 and the Government Paperwork Elimination Act.

Other Uses for Certified Document Services include distribution of sales quotes, analysis reports, white papers, statements, invoices, press releases, privacy statements, human resource documents and any general communications that need to be verified as legitimate.

The Highest Level Of Document Security Available

Certified documents differ significantly from standard digitally signed ones. Although Adobe Acrobat allows authors to sign PDFs with any x.509 v3 digital certificate, this isn't the same as signing a PDF document with a Certified Document Services (CDS) certificate issued from GeoTrust (True Credentials For Adobe). A CDS certificate is signed by the GeoTrust for Adobe Certificate Authority (CA) that has been issued by the Adobe trusted root and embedded in Adobe Reader and Acrobat, versions 6.0 and higher. Only certificates issued from this hierarchy will receive the certified signature validation mark automatically when opened with Adobe Reader or Acrobat.

Relying parties don't need to decide for themselves whether the issuing CA should be trusted since the Acrobat application automatically verifies the validity of the certificate and displays a message to the relying party that the signature and/or contents have been validated. In addition, CDS signing ensures the highest level of document integrity and verification because the user’s or department’s digital credentials must be stored on a cryptographic hardware device and they must be issued by a WebTrust certified certificate authority using strict guidelines.

How It Works

Businesses interested in creating certified documents will order Adobe CDS (True Credentials For Adobe), have their identification information verified and be provided with a digital certificate that can be used in Adobe Acrobat 7.0+ Standard or Professional to create certified PDF documents.

Document recipients using the free Adobe Reader 6.0+ will then have the ability to automatically validate certified documents with no additional software or configuration. The relying party simply clicks on a signature box within the document and is able to retrieve the certification status indicating whether the document is certified and if it has been modified. Signature properties, such as certificate details, signer’s contact information and validation method, can also be viewed by the relying party.

Step 1
Have your identity verified by GeoTrust via a simple, but trusted, verification process. You will need to start by using our online ordering system.

Step 2
Install your USB token (which is shipped upon successful completion of the verification process) and drivers.

Step 3
Download your digital certificate electronically.

Step 4
Go directly into Adobe Acrobat and begin signing your PDF files.

Additional Resources

The following documents and links provide more information about Adobe CDS.