Mexican Social Security's Digital Signature. Ready to Rumble

As you may know, the Digital Signature (official name of the advanced electronic signature regarding Social Security matters) was introduced by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS, or Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) since March 3, 2004, however, it is up until this month that it has been implemented to the IMSS From Your Company (IDSE, IMSS Desde Su Empresa) system.

Apart from the management advantages of the IDSE, with Digital Signature the employers will receive and consult the Anticipated Monthly Emission (EMA) and the data automatic confrontation of the EMA with the Auto-determination System (SUA, Sistema Único de Autodeterminación)

The Digital Signature uses cryptographic algorithms that make it practically impossible to forge. The technology is brought upon the public/private key principles, similar to those used by the Tax Administration Service (SAT, Sistema de Administración Tributaria), which guarantees the identity of the signer, the integrity of the information and the certainty that the addressee is the only individual or entity that could read the document, without any modification. Notwithstanding the above, it is worth mentioning that currently, the Digital Signature of the IMSS and the Advanced Electronic Signature (FEA, Firma Electrónica Avanzada) issued by the SAT are not compatible, this means, companies should obtain a Digital Signature for the IMSS and a FEA for the SAT.

Without a doubt, the Digital Signature of the IMSS represents an opportunity to reduce time and expenses in the company's processes. In the same way as it occurs with the FEA for tax purposes, the companies should evaluate the convenience of implementing and by doing so, not only safeguarding the informatics aspects, but additionally, the legal.

As we have mentioned, this is only the beginning, we have to be prepared for the Systems Automation and the Forgotten Legal Issues.

For more information on the procedures to obtain the Digital Signature or any other information regarding such matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.