Bermuda-based QuoVadis has announced it has become automatically enabled in the popular PDF 'portable document' software from Adobe, including Acrobat and Reader.

QuoVadis issues electronic credentials called digital certificates that are used to securely identify people and websites online, to enable encryption for privacy, and to create digital signatures that prove the origin and integrity of electronic documents.

"As governments and companies adopt online business methods, they are very concerned with maintaining the same legal validity they enjoyed in the paper world. Digital signatures are an important tool to accomplishing that security," said Anthony Nagel, chief operating officer of QuoVadis.

"Adobe products are an appealing option for many of our customers, as most computer users are familiar with PDF documents and already have the Adobe Reader software installed on their computer."

Digital signatures can be used with Acrobat PDFs in a number of ways, with organisations that send out large volumes of electronic statements or invoices, or who archive sensitive transactions electronically, can 'certify' the PDFs to declare their origin and lock their content. Other companies create PDF forms or documents that users can 'approve' using digital signatures that legally signify their agreement and verify the document integrity.

"Already, our international clients sign hundreds of millions of PDFs each year using QuoVadis certificates," said Mr. Nagel. "The automatic trust for QuoVadis in Adobe products creates a real benefit and convenience for those clients and their users."

Founded in Bermuda in 1999, QuoVadis has expanded internationally and is now a well-established brand in the digital certification business, involved in large scale government projects such as SuisseID in Switzerland and PKI Overheid in Holland, as well as a wide array of corporate projects ranging from partner extranets to e-invoicing.

"It is important for international certification providers like QuoVadis to be widely trusted in the software used by our customers around the world," said Stephen Davidson, head of product development at QuoVadis. "Today QuoVadis is trusted by default in virtually every major operating system, browser, email application or mobile device in the world."

"Our inclusion in the Adobe Approved Trust List is important, as Adobe has chosen to distribute only certificate providers that adhere to a stringent set of operational and issuance standards."