Interoperability Challenges Among Certification Authorities in Malaysia: An In-Depth Analysis

The utilization of digital signatures is gaining momentum among users in Malaysia due to its myriad benefits, encompassing enhanced security, simplicity, and cost savings. Digital signature services are provided by Certification Authority (CA) to authenticate and validate documents. At present, there are four CAs that issued digital certificate in Malaysia. Despite the presence of CAs in Malaysia, the lack of interoperability among them creates challenges for users who need to use digital signatures across different platforms. Thus, user who obtains a digital certificate from one CA cannot use the same certificate on another CA’s platform. This article examines the challenges related to interoperability that Malaysian CAs are now encountering. The researchers conducted qualitative interviews with the CAs operating in Malaysia in order to obtain their perspectives on the problems related to interoperability across their platforms, as well as the benefits and ramifications of this practice. The research examines the primary obstacles that hinder interoperability, which encompass disparate certificate formats, absence of standardization in software, and business reasons. This study additionally examines potential solutions, such as the establishment of collaborative working groups, the implementation of legislative frameworks, and the establishment of a National Root CA. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating regulatory flexibility, trust frameworks, and standardized formats to enhance interoperability and address the diverse challenges faced by each CA.