Time stamping authority

A time stamping authority ensures that data stored or processed carry a date and time synchronized with a time server. These time settings may be evidence in a legal procedure. The protocol used in this context is described in more detail in RFC 3161 (Request For Comment 3161).

The time stamp is a set of techniques aiming to associate a reference date and time to some data in order to prove the existence of these data by a certain date. Obtaining a Reference date and time usually requires the use of services of a timestamp authority.

A time stamp authority ensures that data stored or processed carry a date and time synchronized with a time server. These time settings may be evidence in a legal procedure. The protocol used in this context is described in more detail in RFC 3161 (Request For Comment 3161).

The objectives of the time stamping are to ensure the impossibility of backdating documents and prove his good faith. For this purpose, a timestamp authority is required particularly for contractual documents (banking, insurance, partnerships), medicine (test results), computer (logs, emails, ...) and in general for all documents for which it is essential to "certify" that some electronic data did exist at one time in the form in which they were presented to the timestamp authority.