A few years ago, an electronic signature was still treated rather formally in many companies. For some businesses, it was just “the accountant’s USB flash drive.” For others, it was a convenient way to submit tax reports or sign documents in an electronic document management system. Most users did not really think about where the key was stored or how well it was protected.
But the situation has changed significantly in recent years. Businesses have moved deeper into digital workflows, while the number of cyber threats has continued to grow. Today, phishing emails, account theft, attacks on corporate email, malware infections, and attempts to compromise electronic document management systems no longer surprise anyone.
Against this background, the protection of electronic signatures has become much more important than it was several years ago. If companies previously stored keys simply “somewhere on a computer,” today more and more organizations are moving to hardware-based QES solutions.
What Is a QES and Why Is It Difficult to Work Without It?
A qualified electronic signature is a digital equivalent of a handwritten signature. It confirms the user’s identity and allows electronic actions to be legally recorded.
In simple terms, QES helps the system understand who signed the document, whether the document was changed after signing, and whether the user has the right to perform certain actions.
Today, QES is used almost everywhere: in accounting, electronic document management, government services, tender platforms, contract signing, banking interactions, and internal corporate systems.
For many enterprises, an electronic signature has already become as familiar as email or a corporate messenger.
Why File-Based Keys Are Gradually Becoming Outdated
Despite the development of digital services, many companies still use ordinary file-based keys. In practice, this means that the electronic signature is stored on a USB flash drive, in a folder on the desktop, or sometimes even in cloud storage.
At first glance, this may seem convenient. But from a security point of view, this approach has many weak points.
A file-based key can be copied. An infected computer can pass it to malware. A user may accidentally open access to the file. A phishing attack can compromise credentials. And in some cases, an employee may keep a copy of the key even after leaving the company.
This issue becomes especially sensitive in organizations where several accountants work with documents, remote access is used, the document flow is large, or the company regularly interacts with government systems.
That is why businesses are gradually moving toward more secure solutions — hardware carriers for qualified electronic signatures.
Hardware-Based QES: How It Works
The main idea behind a hardware electronic signature is simple: the cryptographic key is not stored as a file that can be copied.
Instead, the key is generated inside the device, stored in a protected chip, and used without being exported outside the device.
In practice, the private key never leaves the physical boundaries of the device. Even the computer’s operating system does not receive direct access to it.
This is the principle behind CYBKEY — a hardware and software cryptographic information protection solution developed by Smart Lab.
The product name is quite symbolic: CYBKEY means “the key to cybersecurity.” And this describes its main purpose very accurately.
Smart Lab — a Licensed Manufacturer of Cryptographic Information Protection Solutions
It is also important that Smart Lab holds an official license from the Administration of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine for activities in the field of cryptographic information protection.
For many customers, this is a crucial point. Especially when it comes to government institutions, large companies, critical infrastructure enterprises, or organizations working with confidential data.
The company performs a full cycle of work: development, manufacturing, technical support, supply, and maintenance of cryptographic information protection solutions.
In other words, this is not just the resale of ready-made tokens. It is a Ukrainian in-house development with the necessary technical expertise and support behind it.
What Platform Is CYBKEY Based On?
The device is based on the NXP P71D600 microprocessor with the JCOP 4.5 operating system by NXP Semiconductors.
For an ordinary user, this may sound too technical. But platforms of this class are used in bank cards, electronic passports, government PKI systems, and international digital identity solutions.
In other words, this is a platform that has been used for many years in mission-critical systems around the world. The platform is certified according to the international Common Criteria standard at the EAL 6+ level. This is one of the highest levels of independent security verification used for government and critical systems.
Smart Card or USB Token — What Should You Choose?
CYBKEY is available in two main form factors.
Smart Card
The card format is often used by large organizations, corporate systems, institutions with access control, and PKI infrastructures.
The card can work through a contact interface, contactless interface, or in combined mode.
For many companies, this is a convenient option when they need to combine an electronic signature with employee identification.
USB Token
A USB token is a more universal solution for daily work.
It is suitable for accountants, managers, mobile employees, IT specialists, and users of government services.
The device works via USB Type-A or USB Type-C and is ready for use almost immediately after being connected.
Biometric Protection: Your Fingerprint Is Your Key
CYBKEY models with a built-in fingerprint scanner deserve special attention.
In practice, this means that an operation is confirmed not by entering a PIN code, but through biometric verification.
There is an important detail here: authentication is performed inside the device itself, not on the user’s computer.
This means that biometric data is not transmitted outside the device, fingerprints are not stored in Windows, and even if the token is lost, an unauthorized person will not be able to use it.
For many companies, this is no longer just an “interesting feature,” but an important part of their security policy.
Where Is QES Used Today?
The area of electronic signature use continues to expand.
Today, QES is actively used in electronic document management systems, reporting, authorization in corporate systems, government services, tender platforms, medical and financial systems, and secure digital identification.
And the more business processes move into digital format, the more important key protection becomes.
Why Businesses Are Moving to Hardware-Based QES Now
A few years ago, many companies did not see much difference between a file-based key and a hardware token. But the situation is changing.
There are several reasons for this: the growing number of cyberattacks, targeted attacks on businesses and infrastructure in the context of cyber warfare, stricter security requirements, the development of electronic document management, the increase in remote employees, and the need to control access to critical systems.
More and more organizations are also beginning to understand that an electronic signature is no longer just a “reporting tool.” It is part of the overall cybersecurity system of the enterprise.
Main Advantages of CYBKEY Solutions
Protected Key Storage
The private key never leaves the device.
Ukrainian In-House Development
Smart Lab independently develops and provides technical support for its solutions.
Biometric Protection
Operations can be confirmed using a fingerprint.
Support for Modern Standards
The device supports Ukrainian and international cryptographic standards.
Flexible Use
Smart cards and USB tokens are available for different work scenarios.
Conclusion
Today, a qualified electronic signature is no longer just a key file on a USB drive. It is one of the fundamental elements of digital business security.
CYBKEY solutions by Smart Lab combine hardware-based key protection, modern cryptography, biometric authentication, support for electronic document management, and compliance with Ukrainian and international standards.
As the number of cyber threats continues to grow, secure hardware-based QES solutions are gradually becoming the new standard for safe digital infrastructure in business and the public sector.
Qualified Electronic Signature
Need a QES solution for business or government services?
Smart Lab will help you choose a secure solution for electronic signatures,
tokens, smart cards, or cloud-based QES.