DigSig technology protects digital vehicle identities from tampering
Digital signatures make vehicle data in RFID tags, barcodes, and NFC chips verifiable. TÖNNJES’ DigSig technology is based on ISO/IEC 20248 and adds cryptographic authentication to IDePLATE® RFID license plates, IDeSTIX RFID windshield stickers, and IDeSTIX headlamp tags, both online and offline.
Cryptographic verification for secure vehicle identification
Modern vehicle identification requires more than just a visible license plate. What matters is whether the stored data is unique, authentic, and unaltered. This is exactly where TÖNNJES’ DigSig technology comes in.
The technology applies a digital signature to data stored in RFID tags, barcodes, or NFC chips. If a data record is altered at a later date, the tampering can be detected during verification. This transforms a physical identification feature into digitally verifiable proof.
This is particularly relevant for vehicle registration, traffic monitoring, access control, toll systems, or border processes. Authorities and operators can not only read vehicle data but also verify whether it is cryptographically trustworthy.
Protection against forgery, copying, and data manipulation
RFID-based vehicle identification offers significant potential for automation. At the same time, systems must prevent identifiers from being copied, manipulated, or used without authorization. Digital signatures address precisely this challenge.
DigSig makes it clear whether the stored data has been altered. The technology does not replace the physical protection of a license plate or tag, but rather complements it. IDePLATE®, IDeSTIX Windshield Tags, and Headlamp Tags thus combine physical issuance control with digital verifiability.
This is particularly important for government-regulated systems. From the manufacturing process through personalization to issuance and return, digitally signed identification data can support an end-to-end chain of trust.
Related Hardware
Standardized according to ISO/IEC 20248
DigSigs are specified as a data construct in the international standard ISO/IEC 20248. The standard describes data structures as well as procedures for writing, reading, and verifying digitally signed information.
The technology is based on asymmetric cryptography. The private key remains with the issuing authority and generates the digital signature. The public key is used for verification and is made available via a public-key infrastructure with X.509 certificates.
This allows authorized entities to directly verify whether an RFID data record is authentic. This verification can be performed online, but also offline, provided the necessary public keys and certificate information are available.
Offline Verification in the Field
A key advantage for vehicle identification systems lies in offline verification. In many real-world scenarios, a stable connection to central databases is not guaranteed. This applies to border regions, mobile inspections, parking and access systems, or checkpoints with limited connectivity.
With DigSig, RFID license plates, windshield stickers, or headlamp tags can be verified directly on-site. When the data carrier is read, the signature can be validated. If the data and signature do not match, this indicates tampering or forgery.
Secure vehicle identity as the foundation for automated processes
IDePLATE®, IDeSTIX RFID windshield stickers, and IDeSTIX headlamp tags make vehicles digitally identifiable. DigSig complements these solutions by verifying that the read data is trustworthy.
This creates a technical foundation for automated vehicle identification in administration, transportation, security, parking management, toll systems, and border processes. The vehicle is not merely recognized; its digital identity can be verified.
Vehicle identity should not only be readable but also verifiable.
Talk to TÖNNJES about how DigSig technology can cryptographically secure IDePLATE® RFID license plates, IDeSTIX RFID windshield stickers, and IDeSTIX Headlamp Tags against tampering, forgery, and data insecurity, both online and offline.