2003 C.I.P.A. Winners
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Quebec Land Registry, Ministère des Ressources naturelles
The Web-based Quebec Land Registry Information System
Overview Implement a secure IT system to ensure the registration and distribution of land rights as well as to protect the land registry's documentary heritage. Objectives The Web-based Quebec land registry information system intends to:
This considerable challenge also consists in implementing a new organizational structure and new business processes to support the processing of requests and distribution of land registry information. The services provided to clients, in particular notaries, lawyers, surveyors, muniC.I.P.A.lities and the public, are accessible via the Internet 7 days a week. Summary Description A documentary system entirely in paper format since 1830, the Land Registry became a secured, efficient and innovative information system 170 years later. A large part of this documentary heritage is now instantly accessible on-screen, from anywhere around the world. Digital Signature with Legal Value In order to grant legal documents distributed online a legal value equal to that of the original paper versions, modifications had to be made to the legal framework. A public key infrastructure PKI system was integrated to ensure the protection of e- communications. Notarius is responsible for managing the delivery of these certificates. Access control and data protection mechanisms
Accessibility and guaranteed recovery Important measures were implemented to ensure failsafe access to the Land Registry Information System (SIRF), such as a self-monitoring and dynamic distribution flow mechanism on the disks. Furthermore, the eight-terabyte database resides on hardware connected by fibre-optics, equipped with an automated disk correction system. An active recovery site, backups and frequent tests ensure that, in the event of a disaster, operations are re-initiated in a maximum of 72 hours. The digitization of legal documents, kept in the 73 LROs, requires the use of a structured and secure process to ensure that they aren't damaged, modified, misplaced or stolen. The fragility of older documents is a major concern. Thus, the processes developed include a number of steps: indexing via bar codes, inventory-taking, transport under seal to the digitization centre, handling, digitizing and archiving the documents. All through these steps, documents must be accessible to clients during business hours. Digitized signatures with legal value: a security challenge The implementation of a legal framework and a security solution ensuring the legal value of the digitized documents Secured documentary heritage: exceptional control measures
Innovative Use of Technology The Web-based Quebec Land Registry Information System uses the latest imaging technology, such as mass digitization, archiving, geomatics, Internet transmission and e-commerce. Certification and Digital signatures The public key infrastructure system relies on symmetric and asymmetric cryptography and uses two sets of keys: numbers and signatures. Each pair of keys consists of a public key, which is accessible to all and is deposited in a directory that complies with the X.500 standard, and a private key that is known by only its holder. The encryption key is used to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the documents. The signature key is used to sign an electronic document and verify its origin. Integration of data, images and plans On the same Web site, clients have access to integrated, administrative or geomatic data as well as to images. Over the course of the same session, a notary can consult the digitized image of a record dating from 1880, the data on a contract registered since computerization and the reference data related to the Quebec plans.
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