WISeKey Renews WebTrust Compliance for OISTE/WISeKey Global Root of Trust

Rhea-AI Summary

WISeKey International Holding (SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) has renewed its WebTrust seal of assurance for its OISTE/WISeKey Trust Model and certification services. This renewal demonstrates WISeKey's compliance with rigorous industry standards in four key areas: WebTrust for Certification Authorities, Baseline Requirements, Extended Validation, and S-MIME (new for 2024).

The company's Trust Services are delivered via advanced certificate management platforms, leveraging automation and crypto-agility. WISeKey is also investing in post-quantum trust services through its SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES) affiliate. In addition to WebTrust, WISeKey maintains other independent audits and accreditations, including recognition for IoT standards like Matter, Wi-Sun Alliance, and GSMA.

Positive

• Renewed WebTrust compliance enhances credibility and customer trust
• Compliance in four key areas demonstrates comprehensive security measures
• Advanced certificate management platforms offer cost and risk reduction for customers
• Investment in post-quantum trust services through SEALSQ Corp affiliate
• Recognition for IoT standards like Matter, Wi-Sun Alliance, and GSMA expands market opportunities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Cybersecurity Analyst

The renewal of WISeKey's WebTrust compliance is a significant development for the company's credibility in the cybersecurity sector. This certification demonstrates WISeKey's commitment to maintaining high standards in digital certificate issuance and management, which is important for building trust in online transactions and communications.

The company's compliance across multiple WebTrust areas, including the new S-MIME certification, positions WISeKey as a comprehensive trust service provider. This could potentially lead to increased market share and customer confidence, particularly in industries where secure digital identities are critical.

WISeKey's investment in post-quantum trust services through SEALSQ Corp is forward-thinking, addressing future cybersecurity challenges. This proactive approach could give WISeKey a competitive edge in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

IoT Industry Expert

WISeKey's WebTrust renewal has significant implications for its position in the IoT market. The company's recognition as a trusted root for Matter, Wi-Sun Alliance and GSMA demonstrates its strong foothold in critical IoT standards and ecosystems.

This compliance, coupled with WISeKey's focus on crypto-agility and efficient certificate management, addresses key concerns in IoT security such as scalability and adaptability to emerging threats. The company's ability to offer quantum-resistant solutions through SEALSQ Corp is particularly noteworthy, as it prepares for the next generation of IoT security challenges.

These developments could potentially strengthen WISeKey's market position in the rapidly growing IoT sector, especially in smart home and industrial IoT applications where security is paramount.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, WISeKey's WebTrust compliance renewal is a positive indicator for the company's long-term stability and growth potential. The certification's wide-ranging scope, covering multiple critical areas of digital trust, positions WISeKey favorably in the competitive cybersecurity market.

The company's investment in post-quantum solutions through SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES) represents a strategic move to capture future market opportunities. However, investors should note that such R&D investments may impact short-term profitability.

WISeKey's recognition in key IoT standards could lead to increased revenue streams from this growing sector. The company's ability to serve multinational clients with various compliance needs also suggests potential for geographic expansion and diversification of income sources.

Geneva and Zug, Switzerland – August 6, 2024 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity and IoT company operating as a holding company, today announced the renewal of the WebTrust seal of assurance by meeting all audit requirements for its OISTE/WISeKey Trust Model and certification services.

The WebTrust for Certification Authorities program, initially developed to boost consumer confidence in ecommerce and PKI technology, is now managed by Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. By renewing this compliance, WISeKey reinforces consumer confidence in the integrity and reliability of its digital identity and cybersecurity solutions, demonstrating adherence to rigorous industry standards.

WISeKey has fulfilled all stipulations across four essential areas:

• WebTrust for Certification Authorities: This validates WISeKey's stringent controls in the issuance and management of digital certificates.
• WebTrust for Baseline Requirements: WISeKey demonstrated robust controls conforming to the CA/B Forum’s “Baseline Requirements for the Issuance and Management of Publicly Trusted Certificates.”
• WebTrust for Extended Validation: WISeKey satisfied all regulations against the CA/B Forum’s “Guidelines for the Issuance and Management of EV Certificates,” ensuring only suitably accredited CAs issue EV SSL.
• WebTrust for S-MIME: New for 2024, WISeKey also ensures compliance in its certification services for Secure E-Mail.

WISeKey Trust Services are delivered via advanced certificate management platforms that leverage automation (via ACME and API) and crypto-agility, enabling customers to reduce operational costs and risks through efficient certificate rollover in case of expiration or revocation.

The new set of Root Certification Authorities (Root CAs), also covered by these audits, will form the foundation of a new suite of post-quantum trust services. WISeKey is heavily investing in these through its SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES) affiliate, proposing quantum-resistant solutions that combine all required software and hardware components.

Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, commented, “The renewal of our WebTrust assurance demonstrates the reliability of WISeKey’s Trust Services, bringing the highest security and compliance levels to our customers.”

In addition to WebTrust, WISeKey maintains additional independent audits and accreditations pertinent to various jurisdictions and industries of its multinational clients. This includes key recognition for relevant IoT standards, such as accreditation for Matter, the new home automation and IoT standard endorsed by the CSA and major players like Google, Apple, and Amazon. WISeKey is also recognized as a trusted root for the Wi-Sun Alliance and GSMA.

Importance of WebTrust Roots

WebTrust Roots, specifically Root CA, play a pivotal role in the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) ecosystem. They are the top-level entities in the PKI hierarchy, issuing and verifying the digital certificates for lower-level Certification Authorities (CAs). The integrity and security of the Root CA are paramount because if a Root CA is compromised, the entire chain of trust for certificates it has issued is at risk.

Digital certificates issued by CAs are used to authenticate the identity of entities (such as websites, individuals, and devices) and to encrypt communications, ensuring data transmitted over the internet is secure and trusted. For higher security needs, EV certificates provide additional assurance about the legitimacy of the entity behind a website, requiring stringent verification processes. Trusted Root CAs like WISeKey’s OISTE/WISeKey Root enhance the credibility and acceptance of these certificates.

Many industries and governments require the use of digital certificates issued by trusted Root CAs for regulatory compliance. WISeKey’s WebTrust compliance means that its Root CAs meet these stringent regulatory standards, facilitating its customers’ compliance efforts. Furthermore, trusted Root CAs are embedded in major browsers and operating systems, ensuring universal acceptance and trust by a wide range of applications and platforms.

For more information, please visithttp://www.wisekey.com.

About WISeKey:
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) it is in process of establishing SEALCOIN AG to focus on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people.

For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

Press and Investor Contacts:

WISeKey International Holding Ltd  Company Contact:  Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@wisekey.com

WISeKey Investor Relations (US)  The Equity Group Inc. Lena Cati Tel: +1 212 836-9611 / lcati@equityny.com Katie Murphy Tel: +1 212 836-9612 / kmurphy@equityny.com

Disclaimer:
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FInSa's predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

FAQ

What WebTrust compliance areas did WISeKey (WKEY) renew in August 2024?

WISeKey renewed WebTrust compliance in four areas: WebTrust for Certification Authorities, WebTrust for Baseline Requirements, WebTrust for Extended Validation, and WebTrust for S-MIME (new for 2024).

How does WISeKey's WebTrust renewal benefit its customers?

The renewal enhances customer confidence in WISeKey's digital identity and cybersecurity solutions, ensures compliance with industry standards, and enables customers to reduce operational costs and risks through efficient certificate management.

What new trust services is WISeKey (WKEY) developing for the future?

WISeKey is investing in post-quantum trust services through its SEALSQ Corp affiliate, developing quantum-resistant solutions that combine software and hardware components.

What additional accreditations does WISeKey hold besides WebTrust?

WISeKey holds accreditations for IoT standards such as Matter, and is recognized as a trusted root for the Wi-Sun Alliance and GSMA.