Fiscalization: Swissbit realigns its cloud TSE strategy
05/04/2022
Berlin (Germany), April 05, 2022 - Swissbit, a market leader in Germany for technical security equipment (TSE), announced today that it is strengthening its cloud TSE strategy. The enhanced concept now focuses on a security anchor in the form of a memory card or USB stick for cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) systems that ensure offline functionality. By using a hardware based, local SMAERS component, a user-friendly TSE conversion that meets the environment protection required by the German Federal Office for Information Security (German: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, BSI) can now be implemented for all critical applications without TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and in full compliance with the law and by. By taking this step, the company is actively responding to the market’s varying interpretations of regulatory requirements for pure cloud TSE solutions. Swissbit’s goal for the future is to continue to provide maximum flexibility to cash register manufacturers and end users, while also guaranteeing legal compliance with the German Cash Register Security Ordinance (KassenSichV) with its entire TSE solutions portfolio. Swissbit will make further announcements in the coming weeks and months. The successful hardware-based TSEs will continue to be available as usual.
At the end of 2019, Swissbit became the first manufacturer in Germany to receive TSE accreditation for storage solutions. With extensive expertise in global fiscal markets, Swissbit developed its TSE range for the German market, led by hardware-based TSE. The advantages: Swissbit's USB sticks, SD and microSD cards can be used to retrofit virtually any modern POS system to comply with KassenSichV regulations in a simple, timesaving and legally compliant manner. Swissbit will now include these advantages into its new cloud TSE.
| "It has been demonstrated that hardware implementation fully convinces over 400 cash register manufacturers and the BSI. Swissbit has set the bar for simplicity with its hardware TSE. According to the latest state of technology, the permissible period of use of the TSE is fixed at the time of purchase. For cloud TSE, however, the signature service is available on a flexible subscription basis. But there is always the demand for an environment protection concept using TPMs or stringent process requirements, all of which are difficult to implement in business operations. Swissbit now offers a solution in one for both options. In future, if needed, the Swissbit hardware TSE can also operate as an anchor for the online signature on a subscription basis. Once plugged in, the Swissbit hardware TSE enables offline and online signature capability throughout the lifecycle of a POS system," explains Hubertus Grobbel, Vice President Security Solutions at Swissbit. "This makes it easier and more flexible than ever to access a TSE signature solution by subscription. What makes this solution unique is that we will make this new flexibility available to all our clients and partners upon the solution's completion via a certified firmware upgrade in the field." |  |
The key is in the hardware
By using a pluggable hardware security anchor, Swissbit enables simple and fully legally compliant access to cloud technology, without the need for a TPM or other required environment protection measures. At the same time, with this solutions approach, Swissbit enables its existing customers who currently use a hardware TSE to easily switch to a cloud TSE. In this case, the existing hardware serves as the cloud TSE’s security anchor. Even with the new approach, new customers can enjoy the usual flexibility of simply switching between the various Swissbit TSE variants to meet their specific requirements and can thus make the most of the full scope of available options.