Secure Email Communications Approved by REM in Europe: Adopting a Strengthened Security Standard
In the digital landscape of Europe, a significant shift is underway with the transition from Certified Electronic Mail (PEC) to Registered Electronic Mail (REM). This change is part of the European Commission's aim for standardization of certified digital services within the EU, focusing on greater interoperability.
Currently, PEC is an Italian legal e-mail system, widely used for official communications. On the other hand, REM is an emerging system at the EU level, designed to harmonize cross-border certified electronic communications.
The transition process involves a gradual implementation of REM at the EU level, with the ultimate goal of replacing or interoperating with national systems like PEC. REM aims to provide a single, trusted system for registered electronic communications across all member states, including Italy.
The EU has proposed regulatory frameworks and technical standards for this transition. However, timelines for mandatory transition or phase-out of PEC vary by country. As of now, Italy continues to rely on PEC while preparing for integration or coexistence with REM once EU infrastructure and standards are fully deployed.
For the most recent and region-specific updates, it is advisable to consult official sources such as the Italian Ministry of Innovation and Digitalization publications, EU Digital Single Market progress reports, and national regulatory authorities for communications and digital services.
One of the key differences between PEC and REM lies in their legal value. While PEC does not have the same legal value throughout Italy, REM will have the same legal value across the EU.
Another significant difference is the need for strong identification and two-factor authentication in REM. This requirement could pose operational challenges for companies that require multiple mailboxes, which need to be accessed by several individuals.
Despite these challenges, REM offers numerous benefits. It will provide standardized access and a qualified digital communication tool for public administrations and businesses throughout Europe, facilitating interaction with international entities and partners.
Moreover, the transition from PEC to REM will offer significant benefits for users and businesses, simplifying the management of legal communications at a European level. The transition is scheduled to take place between 2025 and 2026.
In the context of this transition, it will be mandatory to complete a verified identification process for REM, including through digital identities such as SPID and CIE, whereas activating a PEC only requires registering personal data. Application-to-application authentication to the REM mailbox, based on the OAuth 2.0 protocol, has been introduced for seamless connections to the REM mailbox.
For Italian businesses operating at the European level, REM will help reduce bureaucratic obstacles, simplify document management, and ensure compliance with cross-border regulations. It will also offer more secure and reliable communications across the EU with traceability and certification of sent and received messages.
In summary, the transition from PEC to REM promises to streamline digital communications within the EU, providing a more unified and secure platform for official communications. For the most up-to-date information on this transition, it is recommended to consult official sources and stay informed about the progress of this significant digital shift.
- Moving forward in the European digital landscape, businesses in home-and-garden, finance, data-and-cloud-computing, and sustainable-living sectors may find the switch from PEC to REM essential, as REM aims to simplify cross-border communications and foster greater interoperability.
- With the transition from PEC to REM, Italian businesses shall need to comply with a verified identification process using digital identities such as SPID and CIE, ensuring a more secure and reliable platform for legal communications within the EU.
- As both PEC and REM evolve within the European digital landscape, maintaining awareness of current and region-specific updates in finance, lifestyle, home-and-garden, business, data-and-cloud-computing, sustainable-living, and technology sectors will be critical for businesses seeking to thrive in this digital era.
