May 30, 2007
- GlobalSign
May 30, 2007
Press Release
GlobalSign K.K.
GeoTrust JAPAN Becomes GlobalSign
Services developed in Japan under the GlobalSign Brand to be Launched Globally
Tokyo – May 30, 2007 – GMO Internet Group company GeoTrust Japan Inc. today became GlobalSign K.K. and is now set to sell services under the GlobalSign brand in the Japanese market and internationally.
About the Change of Company Name
GeoTrust Japan had a strong relationship with GeoTrust Inc (US) since it was established in May 2003. It was a relationship that allowed us to grow our SSL server certificate market share in Japan from almost 0% to 30% in just four years. However in light of the acquisition of GeoTrust Inc. by VeriSign, Inc. we acquired the Belgian certificate authority GlobalSign NV as a subsidiary in October 2006 to ensure we are able to maintain a high quality, well-priced service. We will now significantly strengthen services under the GlobalSign brand to launch sales in Japan and subsequently around the globe. This is why we have today changed the company name from GeoTrust JAPAN to GlobalSign. (Sales in Japan are scheduled to begin July 2).
The Service
We have made the significant move from being a certificate authority sales distributor to being a certificate authority. We now have the ability create authentication services that match our customers’ requirements.
We will continue to provide safe, reliable and secure authentication services as we enter the North American and European markets These markets are between three and five times as large as Japan.* We do not aim to simply rehash in various countries a service that was developed in the US. We strive to provide a service that is global in the true sense of the word, with localization of services and support designed globally for Europe, Asia and North America. At the same time we will carefully consider certificate standards appropriate to the business customs of each market.
(*NetCraft and our own figures)
Establishing Local Companies
In order to expand the service globally, in addition to the key locations Japan, England, and Belgium we have plans to establish new local companies including GlobalSign, Inc. (scheduled to open 2007/7) in North America, the fastest growing market in the world. We also have tentative plans to establish GlobalSign China (2007) an extremely large potential market that is as yet untapped.
The GlobalSign Certificate Authority
GlobalSign began providing digital authentication services to Belgium ten years ago when digital authentication companies were first beginning to appear. Customers include a number of Belgian government agencies and the GlobalSign Certificate Authority operates many prestigious government projects such as eID*(BELPIC). We are recognized as the Belgian Government Certificate Authority.
*A citizen ID card. It is the first stage of the e-government project in Belgium. The ID card containing a digital certificate is distributed to all Belgian citizens over the age of 12.
Performance: (cumulative figures)
■Issued over 100,000 SSL Server Certificates
■Issued more than 1.4 million digital certificates (for web sites, IC Cards etc. including Digital IDs).
■Over 20 million certificates worldwide rely on the public trust provided by the GlobalSign root
■We supply many major government agencies and major corporations
Profile
■The first certificate authority in Europe to obtain WebTrust accreditation
■The first certificate authority in Europe to obtain WebTrust accreditation
■Member of CABF(CA/Browser Forum)
In Japan GlobalSign (formerly GeoTrust JAPAN) participates as JCAF (Japan Certificate Authority Forum).
In Japan GlobalSign (formerly GeoTrust JAPAN) participates as JCAF (Japan Certificate Authority Forum).
■Member of Anti-Phishing Working Group
Media Inquiries
GMO Hosting and Security Inc. Corporate Planning Department
E-mail: [email protected]
GMO Internet Inc. Group PR Team
E-mail: [email protected]
The GMO Internet Group
The GMO Internet Group is a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services in Japan. We hold top domestic market shares in domain registration, web hosting and payment processing and we provide a host of other services including e-commerce solutions, Internet advertising and online securities trading to individual and corporate customers. Striving to redefine the industry and foster a vibrant Internet culture, the GMO Internet Group is continuously working to inspire enthusiasm in our customers and put smiles on their faces.
GlobalSign K.K.
Company Name | GlobalSign K.K. http://jp.globalsign.com/ |
Address | Shibuya Infoss Tower, 20-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN |
CEO | Ichiro Chujo |
Business Description | ■Information security and digital authentication |
Capital | ￥356,640,000 |
GMO Hosting & Security Inc.
Company Name | GMO Hosting & Security Inc. http://www.gmo-hs.com/eng/ (TSE Mothers Market Code: 3788) |
Address | Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN |
CEO | Mitsuru Aoyama |
Business Description | ■Web hosting service ■Internet security |
Capital | ￥902,060,000 |
GMO Internet Inc.
Company Name | GMO Internet Inc. http://www.gmo.jp/en (TSE First Section Code: 9449) |
Address | Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN |
CEO | Masatoshi Kumagai |
Business Description | ■Internet Use Support (Infrastructure) ■Internet Advertising Support (Media) ■Internet Finance |
Capital | ￥7,148,290,000 |
(for reference) Digital Authentication Services - Global Market Scale (March, 2007)
（According to calculations by this company based on figures released by NetCraft）
Region | % |
North America | 59% |
Europe | 24% |
Asia (*) | 11% |
Oceania | 3% |
South America | 1% |
Middle East | 1% |
Central America | 0% |
Africa | 0% |
(*10% of this figure is accounted for by Japan)