ERS

IETF preservation-evidence format designed for long-term archiving.

Definition

An Evidence Record contains Archive Timestamps built on Merkle hash trees, able to cover a single object or a group of objects. It handles renewal of the evidence: timestamp renewal if a key is compromised, and hash-tree renewal if the hash algorithm weakens, preventing signatures from expiring.

Origin

Specified by RFC 4998 (IETF, August 2007), produced by the LTANS (Long-Term Archive and Notary Services) working group.

Example in context

<EvidenceRecord><ArchiveTimeStampSequence><ArchiveTimeStampChain><ArchiveTimeStamp>...</ArchiveTimeStamp></ArchiveTimeStampChain></ArchiveTimeStampSequence></EvidenceRecord>

Related terms

• XAdES — XML signature with long-term evidential value.
• NF Z42-013 — evidential archiving system.