Cybertrust Supports Digitalization of Mill Sheets to Prevent Counterfeit Products

Cybertrust's Contribution to the Digitalization of Mill Sheets

Cybertrust Inc., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has recently announced that its e-seal certificate, known as "iTrust e-seal Certificate," has been adopted for the digitalization of mill sheets issued by Osaka Steel Co., based in Chuo, Osaka. This initiative aims to bolster the authenticity of mill sheets and prevent counterfeit and impersonation products by utilizing the digital certification technology.

Mill sheets serve as crucial quality assurance documents that confirm that manufactured steel meets specified design criteria and standards. These documents are traditionally issued on paper by steel manufacturers and are provided alongside steel deliveries. They flow through the supply chain to construction material trading companies and general contractors, who ultimately rely on them during inspections in the final phases of construction. Historically, the physical handling of these documents, including storage and searchability, has posed challenges in terms of operational burden and cost, thus necessitating digital solutions.

However, the risk of tampering and counterfeit documents is a significant concern with mill sheets, and there is a critical need to establish methods that verify the accuracy of the issuer and the data contained within digital PDF formats.

Previously, Osaka Steel issued thousands of mill sheets each month on paper. Now, by integrating Cybertrust's "iTrust e-seal Certificate" and "iTrust Remote Signing Service" through API connections, they have succeeded in granting e-seals to mill sheets generated in PDF format. This innovation ensures proof of the issuers and the integrity of the documents, effectively deterring the circulation of counterfeit mill sheets.

The iTrust e-seal Certificate by Cybertrust stands out as the only digital certification specifically fulfilling the requirements for e-seal certification set by the Japan Information Economy Society Promotion Association (JIPDEC). This distinction allows Cybertrust to provide its services only to organizations that have undergone stringent evaluations.

Combining this with the iTrust Remote Signing Service offers high-security measures for secret key management, facilitating long-term signature solutions that help reduce design and implementation costs within development processes.

The digital transition of mill sheets marks a significant reduction in tasks that previously involved printing and mailing among trading companies, driving substantial efficiency improvements through electronic disclosures. Moreover, the transition supports environmentally friendly practices through CO2 reductions and minimizes the need for physical storage space. Cybertrust leverages its extensive experience in electronic certification services alongside advanced technology for long-term electronic document preservation, providing the essential infrastructure needed in today's digital society while promoting safe and secure digital trust.

About iTrust e-seal Certificate

The iTrust e-seal Certificate allows organizations that have undergone stringent evaluations by Cybertrust to affix e-seals to their electronic documents, enhancing authenticity and protection against tampering while ensuring high reliability and the veracity of electronic documentation.

Learn more about Cybertrust's offerings

About Cybertrust Inc.

Cybertrust is Japan's first commercial electronic certification authority, established in 2000. The company offers trust services integrating its expertise in authentication and security, alongside platform services tailored for on-premises, cloud, and embedded systems utilizing Linux kernel technology and open-source software (OSS). By merging these technologies and capabilities, Cybertrust aims to reliably validate the integrity of IoT and other advanced domains, thereby supporting the trustworthiness of customers' services.

"Empowering trust for all people, goods, and matters." Cybertrust is committed to realizing a safe and secure society through its specialized and neutral technology in IT infrastructure.