E-Government services: Italian certified electronic mail

Efficiency, reliability, transparency and simplification of processes are key elements for enhancing progress in our society. In particular, e-Government services are improving our everyday life and email is frequently used by citizens to communicate with local and central Government. To provide legal validity for these communications, security mechanisms can be associated with exchanged messages. Since 2005 Italy has acknowledged the legal validity of certified electronic mail systems. The solution adopted by the Italian Government favors usability while ensuring server-to-server security and interoperability. In this paper certified email is briefly discussed, highlighting pros and limitations and discussing future steps, aimed at sharing, enhancing and reshaping certified electronic mail along with the international scientific community, to ensure worldwide interoperability and favor its diffusion.