When your organization plans to become a QTSP, lots of questions need to be answered. Becoming QTSP is a strategic decision that requires balancing control, investment, and compliance complexity.

One of the most important questions that will therefore arise is: how are we approaching this process? 

Organizations have three main options: to outsource QTSP activities, to become an independent QTSP, or to partner with Ubiqu. Below, we compare these three methods to help you determine the best fit for your needs.

What is a QTSP?

A Qualified Trust Service Provider, or QTSP, is an entity that offers electronic trust services in accordance with the standards set forth by the European Union’s eIDAS Regulation. These services include electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, electronic delivery services, and more. QTSPs play a crucial role in ensuring the authenticity, integrity, and legal validity of electronic transactions, thereby fostering trust in digital interactions.

Under eIDAS, QTSPs are granted a special status that signifies their compliance with rigorous security and operational requirements. This status is essential for providing trust services that hold legal significance across the European Economic Area (EEA).

Any organization or entity that aims to provide qualified trust services within the EEA must become a Qualified Trust Service Provider.

How to become a QTSP

Option one: Outsourcing QTSP activities

If your organization wants to operate as a QTSP, but does not have the resources or infrastructure, one of the simplest ways to become a QTSP is by outsourcing the trust service activities to an external provider. This approach eliminates the need for in-house infrastructure and compliance management.

The pros of outsourcing QTSP activities:

✔ Ease of implementation: A third-party vendor manages the entire process, reducing internal workload.
✔ No need for specialized knowledge: The service provider takes care of compliance, security, and technical aspects.

The cons of outsourcing QTSP activities:

✘ Reliance on an external vendor: Confidential data is handled by a third party, raising potential security and privacy concerns.
✘ Lack of brand control: The vendor’s name appears on the issued certificates, meaning your company doesn’t fully own the trust process.
✘ Limited authentication options: The system typically supports certificate issuance only or authentication via passport-based identity verification, but lacks reusable or persistent identity solutions.

Outsourcing QTSP activities is best for:

Organizations looking for a quick and low-effort way to provide digital trust services, but willing to sacrifice brand ownership and full control.

Option two: Become an independent QTSP

For organizations that want full autonomy, becoming a QTSP independently is an option. This means handling all Registration Authority (RA) and Certification Authority (CA) services in-house.

The pros of becoming an independent QTSP:

✔ Full control: Own and manage all aspects of the process, from identity verification to certificate issuance.
✔ Customization: Tailor the trust service infrastructure to meet specific business and security requirements.

The cons of becoming an independent QTSP:

✘ High initial investment: Setting up a QTSP requires significant financial and technical resources.
✘ Compliance complexity: Meeting eIDAS and QSCD certification standards is a time-consuming and ongoing effort.
✘ Long time-to-market: Developing and certifying a QTSP infrastructure can take two to three years, delaying service rollout.
✘ Technical and operational burden: Managing RA and CA services requires a dedicated team, continuous updates, and robust security measures.

Becoming an independent QTSP is best for:

Large organizations that require absolute control over security and compliance, and have the resources and patience to invest in long-term infrastructure development.

Option three: Becoming a QTSP via Ubiqu

What if we tell you there’s an option to become a QTSP, with full control over your trust services, without the high costs and long timelines of building a QTSP from scratch?

For businesses looking for a fast and cost-effective path to QTSP status without the complexity, Ubiqu offers a ready-made solution. This option allows organizations to operate as a QTSP within months while retaining full control over their processes.

Pros:

✔ Pre-certified QSCD infrastructure: Ubiqu is already certified, which removes the need for complex and lengthy certification processes.
✔ Fastest route to QTSP status: Achieve full QTSP operations in just two to three months.
✔ Lower investment and technical effort: Partnering with Ubiqu eliminates the need to build complex infrastructure from scratch.
✔ Retain control over processes and data: Unlike outsourcing, this solution ensures you own your brand and certificate issuance.
✔ Flexible server location: Organizations can choose to host their QTSP infrastructure on-premises for added security and compliance.
✔ Minimal maintenance required: Ongoing technical upkeep can be outsourced, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Cons:

✘ Dependence on a patented solution: Organizations rely on Ubiqu’s proprietary technology, which may limit flexibility and customization.

✘ Potential vendor lock-in: Transitioning away from Ubiqu in the future could be complex and costly.

Best for:

Businesses that need full control over their trust services, without the high costs and long timelines of building a QTSP from scratch.

Conclusion: Choosing the right QTSP approach

Approach	Timeframe	Investment	Control	Compliance Complexity	Brand Ownership
Outsourcing QTSP Activities	Fast	Low	Low	Managed by vendor	No (vendor’s name on certificates)
Becoming a QTSP Yourself	Two – three years	High	Full	High (eIDAS certification required)	Yes
Becoming a QTSP via Ubiqu	Two – three months	Low	Full	Pre-certified by Ubiqu	Yes

Choosing the right path depends on your organization’s priorities, resources, and long-term strategy.

For organizations seeking full control, the traditional QTSP route is a good option, but requires significant time and investment. Outsourcing provides a quick solution but limits brand control and flexibility.

Meanwhile, Ubiqu presents the fastest and most cost-efficient approach, making QTSP status achievable in months without sacrificing ownership or compliance.